Parrot House Chester Zoo, opened 2005

The new offshow Parrot Breeding Centre as seen from the public footpath (October 2006). The large aviary is for Lilacine Amazon Parrots (Amazona autumnalis lilacina). The zoo places all its birds here and they are free to chose their own mates. Any which pair up are offered to other collections interested in breeding this parrot. Since this picture was taken a pathway has been opened so that visitors can have access to this aviary. The fence in the foreground is part of the bongo paddock. Nothing has yet bred in this new house, though the zoo are hopeful that red-vented cockatoos and red and blue lories will nest this year.

I really am looking foreward to going in that house again. It's quite private, but you still get the feel of it being a well kept area.

The red and blue lories were separated last time I went because of fighting, has anything changed on that front?

They were re-introduced last October.

Any other news from the parrot department?

No, not yet. I'm going on the 16th February, perhaps I can find out something.

Letting the birds choose their own mates is a brilliant idea

2.2 have just been exported to Europe and a few more birds have arrived at Chester. The ones that pair naturally are marked with the same coloured dye and as soon as someone requests a true pair, they are sent away.