Staff at the world’s oldest zoo have put up notices asking visitors to stop calling to report that their south American Seriema birds have died – when in fact they are just enjoying the sun.

Vienna is currently sweltering under a 37 degrees centigrade heat wave and the Seriema are South American birds which love to lie on their backs with their feathers ruffled and eyes closed to enjoy the weather.

Zoo Director Dagma Schratter said: “The sight of the poor bird lying in the sun with its feet pointed up in the air is alarming many visitors — we want to tell them that they don’t need to worry. “As soon as the sun comes out the Seriema can’t wait to lie on the ground and spread out its wings to enjoy the sunshine just like anybody else. “On hot days we have had often angry visitors complaining that we are leaving the dead birds there. But they don’t need to worry.

In fact many birds like the sun, although it is unusual for them to enjoy it in quite this position.” “We tell people to just wait until a cloud comes along and the seriemas soon get back up on their feet and go about their regular business again.

via Croatian Times Online News.