It’s a bird! Brand new chicks hatch at Umgeni park
Catch a glimpse of the newest additions to the Umgeni River Bird Park.
BREEDING season has once again come early at the Umgeni River Bird Park, with dozens of little juveniles hatching from their nests.
Grant Aggett-Cox, the park’s education manager, said the early breeding could be a sign of heavy rains or heat waves in the near future.
“Birds are said to have this capacity to predict the weather patterns and have been known to breed early when there are extreme weather phenomena coming so that the chicks are not vulnerable and stuck to the nests when the weather changes. Usually, we would begin preparing for the breeding season by the end of September,” he said.
After the recent rains the birds just began pairing up, he added.
One of the most exciting young nestlings at the park is the three-week-old Hawaiian goose, whose parents were recently moved to the new marsh aviary.
According to Aggett-Cox, this is the first time the geese have successfully hatched a chick at the park.
Some of the other adorable chicks at the park include the Guira cuckoos, the Blacksmith lapwing and Blue-and-gold macaw, that the team have affectionately named Cusco. The Macaw will join the park’s other show birds.
In a few weeks time, bird enthusiasts will also be able to catch a glimpse of the tiny African Spoonbills, the Scarlet ibis, the Blue cranes and the Flamingos, that have begun nesting.
The Mute swans have already laid seven eggs, added Aggett-Cox
The park is open every day from 9am to 5pm. The free-flight bird show is at 11am and 2pm from Tuesday to Sunday with shows on a Monday during school holidays. The entry fee is R52 for adults and R33 for children (four to 12 years) and pensioners. Contact the park on 031 579 4600, or via e-mail education@urbp.co.za.
