Shenzhen Safari Park has imported some rare birds that belong to the same family as the rooster for the Year of the Rooster, which begins on Feb. 9.

All these birds are called roosters of different types in the Chinese language. According to a source at the zoo, many of them are foreign to most Shenzhen people.

Rooster is pronounced similarly as "good fortune" in Chinese. So, many types of "roosters" mean a lot of good fortune, according to the source.

The zoo has spent a big sum buying these birds from various places throughout the world. The most expensive cost 30,000 yuan (US$3,610). This bird is a kind of turtledove and has a silver comb, slick gray blue feathers and two bright red eyes.

The source said the zoo would build a special area to display the birds during the Chinese Lunar New Year holidays.

Wu Yan

Editor: Catherine