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Rare Birds Hatch at Bronx Zoo
There are currently only 35 birds of this species in accredited United States zoos
Wednesday, Jul 25, 2012 | Updated 11:05 AM EDT
Julie Larsen Maher
Three spur-winged lapwing chicks recently hatched at the Bronx Zoo, offering zoo-goers a glimpse of a rare bird species.
Spur-winged lapwings are a species of migratory shorebird found in sub-Saharan Africa during the winter and in the eastern Mediterranean during the warmer breeding season.
Its name refers to a spur hidden in each of its wings which is used for defense from predators and protection of its young.
There are currently only 35 birds of this species in accredited United States zoos.
The chicks hatched last month and can be spotted at the popular bee-eater exhibit.
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