Rare breeding success at Chester Zoo

Keepers at Chester Zoo are celebrating success after the egg of a very rare Victorian Crowned Pigeon successfully hatched.

The blue and purple coloured bird has a crown of feathers on its head and is the world’s largest pigeon.  Similar size to a turkey, the very rare bird comes from the rainforests in New Guinea.

Andrew Owen, Curator of Birds at Chester Zoo, says:

“This is the first time we have bred this species in several years.  We are keeping an eye on the progress and hope to see the chick fledge its nest fairly soon.”

The Victorian Crowned Pigeon and many other species of birds can be found in the Zoo’s Tropical Realm indoor enclosure.