SCOOBY the raven has made a bad habit of poking his beak where it does not belong.

But it seems winter’s chill has got the better of the unruly bird – much to the relief of his neighbours at the Gauntlet Bird of Prey Centre in Knutsford.

“He was wearing the other birds out by constantly taking the mickey out of them,” said falconer Graham Bessant.

“But it is noticeable that he has gone quiet since it got colder.”

Ever since Scooby arrived at the centre, he’s fooled staff by pretending to be a telephone and barking like a guard dog.

But Scooby’s nearest neighbours have not escaped his pranks either.

His constant mimicry has left the vultures, hawks, owls and eagles unsure whether they are being attacked or being wooed.

“We’ve had to move him into different aviaries around the centre to give the other birds a rest from his behaviour,” said Graham.

As well as a break from Scooby, the birds at Gauntlet are also enjoying some of the other benefits of winter.

Smaller birds get a break from flying displays so they are not put under too much stress and all the residents get bigger helpings at meal times.

“We have CCTV now so that I can monitor the vulnerable birds through the night from my home in Chelford,” said Graham.

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