A BURROWING owl chick called Big Bird has set up home at Noah's Ark Zoo Farm.

Big Bird has joined new chicks on the block African spotted eagle owl Snuffy and barn owl Bertie in the enclosure at the Wraxall zoo farm.

Head keeper Chris Wilkinson said: "We are thrilled to have this adorable little owl family, which have bonded with each other so well.

"We're making a special effort to handle the chicks during the first few weeks, so they'll be comfortable with human contact during their time here at Noah's Ark.

"This will give a great educational opportunity to visitors, who will be able to see the owls in flight displays and keeper talks later on."

The three little owls spend most of their time snuggled up together for warmth and are fed by staff several times a day, and at night, to give them a healthy start to their new life at the zoo.

Burrowing owls come from America and are one of only a handful of species which nest in holes below ground.

They are also one of the smallest types of owl, standing at only 25cm high when fully grown.

Declining populations in North America and Canada mean burrowing owls are classified as "near threatened" on the International Union for Conservation (IUCN) Red List of important animals and are being conserved.

African spotted eagle owls are the smallest of the eagle owls and, although not critically endangered, are also recognised along with barn owls on the Red List, which is designed to highlight threats to and promote conservation of vulnerable species.