Iconic exotic bird settles into the zoo (From Dudley News)

Iconic exotic bird settles into the zoo

1:30pm Tuesday 23rd August 2011 in Dudley

ONE of the world’s most recognisable and iconic exotic bird is settling into Dudley Zoo.

The colourful male Toco Toucan has not yet been named, but is already proving popular with visitors.

And zoo bosses have already started the hunt to find him a female, so they can form a breeding pair.

Curator, Matt Lewis, said: “Toucans are very popular with the public as the species featured prominently in Guinness advertisements, and people recognise it instantly.

“The bird’s large bill is used in mating rituals, when it catches tasty morsels of fruit and pitches them towards its intended partner.

“The bill is very light, and made of honeycombed bone. It might look impressive, but is mainly used for reaching fruit and has little use for fighting off predators.”