The 27-year-old actress was relieved not to have to get close to any feathered creatures when making her new movie `We Bought a Zoo` because they make her feel so uncomfortable.

She said: "I`m only scared of birds. Something about wings and beaks and the flapping. I`m terrified of them. That still hasn`t gone away. If they`d asked me to put a bird on my shoulder I would`ve done it, but it would`ve been hard.

"I was terrified of the peacocks on set. Like, ?Ahh, don?t get too close.? They?re like, mean.

"Actually, my uncle is terrified of birds, as well, so it runs in the family."

As well as her fear of birds, Scarlett also admitted she despises cockroaches.

She told New York magazine`s Vulture supplement: "Cockroaches. I cannot stand cockroaches. That`s one thing I absolutely couldn`t do. But that`s not really an animal, is it? It`s an insect."

Despite her dislike of birds and insects, it doesn`t extend to all animals as the actress admits she loves nothing more than hanging out with her dog.

She said: "I take humans most of the time, but I have to say that occasionally sitting on the couch with the dog, you`re just like, `Man, you`re the best company. This is bliss.` Just the dog and a nice old movie and you`re good to go."
sections: Celebrities