A BIRD dubbed the ‘world’s most masculine flamingo’ has stunned wildlife experts and sent females into a frenzy at WWT Slimbridge.

Bertie - believed to be the first blue flamingo ever spotted - flew into the Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust last week, causing a furore among females.

While a diet of shrimp gives flamingos their normal pink plumage, experts believe Bertie’s distinctly more macho hue is the result of a diet of small fish which have been feeding on a rare form of blue algae.

And Bertie’s rugged good looks have caused a storm among females of the species.

Head keeper Avril Whimsy said: “When they spotted Bertie, the females went very quiet before erupting into energetic courtship displays.

“A stampede ensued before we were able to get Bertie into a cage for his own protection.

“We are now limiting his mating activities to prevent him becoming exhausted and have introduced a lottery system to select lucky females via their tag numbers.”

As a treat, females are allowed to gaze at Bertie for five minutes in the evenings before he is returned to a safe location.

As it is now noon we ought to say we hope you enjoyed our April Fool!