A RARE chick of the closest living relative to the extinct dodo has hatched at Edinburgh Zoo.

The endangered Nicobar pigeon can be spotted in the aviary after its arrival on October 25.

The mainly ground-dwelling birds, native to the Andaman islands, with brightly-coloured feathers are the closest living relatives to the dodo.

Sean Meechan, senior animal keeper, said: “We are really pleased to see that the chick is doing well. Both parents have been keeping a watchful eye and will continue tending to it until about one month old.

“We have a while to wait before the chick starts to show off its adult colours, with white tail and dark green iridescent feathers.