Blue-winged Kookaburra

Between March and August the breeding season is in full swing. Although we prefer natural breeding, in some cases it is necessary to hand-feed the chicks. The first eggs of extremely rare and endangered species will be artificially incubated and raised in order to increase the chance of a second clutch of eggs.

In the same way the eggs of birds that cracked their eggs or threw them out of the nest in the past will be artificially incubated. The chicks will then be brought up in the station for young birds. In certain cases and for different reasons some parents will not accept their offspring. Hand-feeding becomes necessary here as well which can be extremely complex for many species because the natural environmental conditions need to be imitated.

Due to exact records and regular scientific research we are able to use the current level of knowledge to provide for the best start into life for the chicks. We make sure that the chicks are socialised with their fellow species as soon as possible in order to adapt the social behaviour of their kind and not being imprinted by humans. In 2011 more than 600 young birds were born in Weltvogelpark Walsrode – Happy Birthday!