WATCH THE BIRDIE? NOT ANYMORE FOR BOTANICAL GARDENS
THE famous aviaries at Birmingham’s Botanical Gardens are set to fall silent as the visitor attraction looks to find a better environment for its species. The Edgbaston garden aviaries currently house quaker parakeets, peach-faced lovebirds, azure-winged magpies, long-tailed glossy starlings, lesser hill myna birds and whitecheeked turacos.
There are also cockatoos, a blue and gold macaw called Bobo, Casper – a sulphur-crested cockatoo – and Polly, a blue-fronted amazon who is in her 60s.
The birds will be moved to specialist bird sanctuaries with the expertise and resources to cater to the birds’ specific needs.
In a statement, the Edgbaston visitor attraction said: “Birmingham Botanical Gardens has taken the difficult decision to rehome the bird collection to specialist bird sanctuaries for their continued well-being and care.
“The carefully chosen sites are equipped with the expertise and resources to cater to the birds’ specific needs, providing them with a nurturing environment where they can thrive and flourish.
“Our responsible decision to relocate the bird collection has been carefully considered alongside our values and commitment to animal welfare and conservation practices.”
It said it knows the birds are a popular part of the gardens and said: “We know that the birds have been a well-loved part of the gardens for many visitors, families and staff for many years. The birds will be moving home in the next couple of weeks if you would like to visit them before their departure.
“This change aligns with the gardens’ strategic mission and vision to prioritise horticulture and reflects our dedication to support biodiversity within the face of climate change.”
The birds will be relocated to several centres including Lincolnshire Wildlife Park (near Boston, Lincolnshire), Birdland Park and Gardens (Bourton-on-the-Water, Gloucestershire) and Tropical Birdland (Leicester).