Virginia the virgin hornbill. 30 years old and never been kissed
Saturday 28 August 2004
Virginia, our black and white casqued hornbill, is celebrating her 30th birthday. Virginia is the oldest of her type in captivity, so her keepers are very proud! Standing at over a foot high, Virginia is an African black and white hornbill with long eyelashes
Virginia is a typical singleton. She spends time sitting in the back of her enclosure watching the world go by, just as a nosey spinster would net-curtain twitch on her neighbours! Virginia spent most of her early life living with her brother who arrived with her from Farnham in 1975. However, since he found a partner in the early nineties, Virginia has lived up to the reputation of a typical single thirty-something living in London, rejecting the advances of all males and choosing to keep herself to herself.
Darren Jordan, bird keeper said, "if she was a human, Virginia would definitely have cats! She is a very special bird, with a unique character. These hornbills are threatened animals so it is important to appreciate them while we still can".
The species originates from Africa, but Virginia was born at Farnham's Birdworld back in 1974.
Single London girls should come and visit the old girl- she is desperate to have a spinster party with others of her own age!
