I like to see this single-species flock of Cutthroats in the dry Desert House (this incidentally being my favourite building at Paignton, rather than the Ape House.). This is apparently one species that birdkeepers don't normally keep in mixed finch groupings very successfully, as they can be aggressive to others. Of course the Paignton display isn't that sort anyway.
Thank you both.
I like the Desert House too, but it's looking rather empty now as the reptiles have been taken to their winter quarters and the diversity of bird species is slowly falling too - I only saw one Quelea although I may have missed others, the glossy starlings and desert finches are no longer around and I didn't see the guinea pigs either. These little guys put on a good show which makes up for a lot and the various parakeets seem to be doing well too, but I feel that another species or two would give the exhibit a boost: I note that Chacoan mara (called salt desert cavy in the old books) have just been imported into the UK, they might do well if they wouldn't eat the cactuses etc.
I also like the Desert House, but I do think it was better in its earlier days. On the subject of Cut-throat Finches I remember there being two dead specimens near the path one day the other year. I passed through several times that day and they were still in position throughout.
