CUDDLING up to this much smaller duckling is Kookie the Kookaburra and the unlikely pairing is helping both of the new fledglings.

This is an exceptionally unusual friendship, particularly as when it is an adult the Kookaburra might hunt the little duckling.

The smaller chick is a rare endangered Madagascar Teal (Anas bernieri) a native of the large Island off of the coast of east Africa and the larger chick is a young Kookaburra Dacelo navaguinae, native of Australia, which was recently abandoned by its parents.

Kookie is being hand-reared by the Animal Care Team at Seaview Wildlife Encounter and the duckling has adopted ‘Kookie Kookaburra’ – whether as a sibling, or as its mother the team at the park are not entirely sure.

“Whatever the reasoning this is an extremely unusual relationship between two very different species,” said a park spokesperson. “Especially as an adult Kookaburra would be likely to predate such a small duckling.

“Possibly these two young creatures haven’t yet established complex boundaries; the need for warmth and closeness seems to override their physical differences! Madagascar Teals are very difficult to raise successfully – so we’re really hoping that Kookie the Kookaburra may just make the difference between the duckling’s life and death.”