Have you ever seen a young pelican? Now could be your chance after chicks hatched in London's St James's Park for the first time in 360 YEARS
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Visitors to London's St James's Park now have the chance to see baby pelicans after chicks hatched in the royal park for the first time in 362 years.
Pelicans are among the most famous residents inside St James's Park, in central London, after they were first introduced to the park in 1664.
However, despite the birds having lived in the park for over 300 years, no chicks have been successfully hatched.
But in May four baby birds were born in what park manager Mark Wasilewski previously described as a 'breakthrough moment'.
And now, the young members of the flock have been allowed to join the adults at the park's lake after spending the first 12 weeks of their lives in a private area.
Adorable pictures show the tiny pelicans huddled next to the other birds in the first month after they were born.
Most recently, the chicks - now much bigger - were spotted resting in St James's Park, and one bird was seen testing out its wings by flying between the rocks in the lake.
The chicks have still not been named and the park wardens still need to weigh and measure the chicks' wing lengths to determine the birds' genders.
Four baby pelicans have been born in St James's Park for the first time in 360 years
Most recently, the chicks - now much bigger - were spotted resting in St James's Park, and one bird was seen testing out its wings by flying between the rocks in the lake
The young pelicans' feathers remain a dark brown colour and will gradually change white over the course of the next year.
Mr Wasilewski has urged visitors to the park not to approach the chicks, to keep dogs on leads around the lake, and to avoid causing distress to the young pelicans.
'I can't wait to watch their antics as they grow and join the wider flock and develop their own distinct characters,' he told the BBC.
Pelicans were first introduced to St James's Park in the 17th century after they were given as a gift from the Russian Ambassador.
Since then, more than 40 pelicans have called the park home.
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