New birds for zoo
DONUT and Pikelet are the latest additions to the bird world at Cairns Tropical Zoo.
The one-month-old and one-week-old forest kingfisher hatchlings emerged from artificial incubation after bird department supervisor James Biggs removed a replica termite mound.
"We started a burrow in the side to help the pair (parents) begin making their new home," Mr Biggs said.
"Kingfishers are known to fly at the mound with their beak and we wanted to avoid this behaviour because it’s known to cause fatalities in the wild." Eventually two eggs were laid and successfully tended.
Donut opened his eyes after 12 days and has been dependent on the keepers for food and warmth.
"They are alert little birds," Mr Biggs said.
"He resembles a porcupine, as his pin feathers are yet to open up."
He said the pair got their names from their bird behaviour.
"In a termite nest, when they’ve had enough food, they walk backward in a circle," he said.
Once fully fledged, the birds will be looking for homes at other Australian zoos.
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New arrival: Cairns Tropical Zoo worker Jody Whelan with Donut.
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