A WILDLIFE park in Bourton-on-the-Water is celebrating birds behaving badly for the rest of the week.

Birdland Park & Garden’s unique series of talks and trails highlighting the “disgusting” habits of various species of birds until Sunday (February 21).

From blood-sucking songbirds and puking penguins to stinking storks and spitting swallows, keepers will reveal revolting facts about some of the world’s baddest birds.

Visitors will also be able to meet some real feathered critters during special meet the creatures sessions.

Alistair Keen, head keeper, said: “Despite their often angelic reputations, birds are definitely among the worst behaved animals on the planet with some truly disgusting table manners.

“The have also devised devilish defences and awfully amazing attacking abilities.

“The Marabou Stork defecates on itself in order to cool its legs, fulmar chicks aim projectile vomit at the face of any potential threats and oxpecker birds will open old wounds on cattle in Africa in order to drink their blood!

“The so-called ‘stink bird’ from New Guinea eats toxic beetles and then converts it into poison which covers its wings.”

With its combination of woodland, riverside and gardens, Birdland, opened in 1957, features more than 500 birds, ranging from the UK’s only breeding colony of king penguins and parrots to cassowaries and cranes in a mix of free-flying and aviary displays.

Visit birdland.co.uk for more information.