Newquay Zoo has welcomed a "flamboyant" new bird species to its popular 'Gems of the Jungle' exhibit.

The Victoria Crowned-pigeon, native to Papua New Guinea, has now found a home in Cornwall.

As the largest living pigeon species in the world, it weighs more than 2kg, with a distinguishing bright blue body, maroon breast and a majestic plumage crown.

The pigeon family's only bigger member was the extinct dodo.

The zoo has named its first Victoria Crowned-pigeon 'Albert' or 'Bertie' for short.

Dan Trevelyan, Senior Animal Keeper at Newquay Zoo, said: "The Victoria Crowned-pigeon was named after Queen Victoria, so we thought that it was only right to name the new founding male of our collection Albert, or Bertie for short!

"We’re sure the species will be a crowning addition to our award-winning Gems of the Jungle walkthrough exhibit."

The zoo is also expecting a female Victoria Crowned-pigeon in the New Year to establish an important breeding pair.

Sadly, the species numbers are dwindling in the wild due to hunting, trapping and deforestation of their habitats.

Newquay Zoo and other zoos and conservation facilities play a critical role in boosting animal numbers globally by breeding such a species.

Newquay Zoo is part of the Wild Planet Trust, a leading conservation organisation working to halt species decline both in the UK and internationally.

The Trust also manages Paignton Zoo in Devon, several nature reserves in the South West and global field projects supporting individual species and wild habitats.