Two new greater flamingo chicks at the L.A. Zoo

The Los Angeles Zoo and Botanical Gardens is pleased to announce the hatching of two greater flamingo chicks, hatched on Tuesday, June 24 and Sunday, August 3. Both chicks are being reared by their parents in the lower walk-through aviary.

The greater flamingo is a social bird that breeds in colonies of tens to hundreds of thousands of birds in the wild. When they mate, they tend to pair for life. The male and female share duties when it comes to raising their chick. For example, they build the mud nest together, collectively care for the egg during the 28 – 32 day incubation period, take turns feeding the youngster and defending the nest.

Flamingos are hatched with grey color down feathers, short legs and a short, straight pink bill. They are fed a liquid secrection called “crop milk” until the chicks are fully developed. The flamingos’ pink and red plumage develops at about two years, with the feathers, legs and face coloration derived from the food found naturally in their diet of small shrimp, worms and algae. In zoos they are fed a special diet which helps them retain their color.

The greater flamingo is the largest of the six species of flamingo and has the widest of distribution. They are found in freshwater and saline habitats throughout southwest Europe, Africa, the Middle East, southwest Asia, India and Sri Lanka. Their exceptionally long neck and legs, and unique bill are adaptations for feeding. The flamingos plumage varies in color from almost white to bright pink with black primary and secondary flight feathers. They can fly long distances, up to 300 miles traveling mainly at night to find food. Flamingos like to rest and sleep standing on one leg, with the head laid on the body and the other leg tucked under the abdomen. What appears to be the flamingos knees are actually their ankles, which bend to the rear when they sit down. The greater flamingo is on display in the Zoo’s aviary with a variety of exotic bird species from around the world.

The Los Angeles Zoo and Botanical Gardens is located in Griffith Park at the junction of the Ventura (134) and Golden State (5) freeways. The Zoo is open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily. For general information, call (323) 644-4200 or visit the website at www.lazoo.org.

Photo credit: Tad Motoyama

Lincoln Park Zoo has flamingo eggs

10 potentially viable eggs have been laid by Lincoln Park Zoo's Chilean flamingos, with zoo experts expecting offspring to begin hatching in about two weeks.

Available records indicate that the zoo has been egg-less since at least the late 1950s. In 2003, the zoo swapped breeds, changing from the American species to the hardier Chilean type. Adding the vegetation helped make the population -- there are currently 48 of the birds -- seem denser, which flamingos prefer.

Source: Chicago Sun-Times

FLAMINGO FACTS

Why are flamingos pink?
The color reflects the beta carotene in their diet of shrimp and shellfish.

Why do they stand on one foot?
Raising one foot helps them shift their weight to make themselves more comfortable. Folding one leg also can keep them warm by reducing the blood supply to the folded limb.

Do flamingos fly?
Yes, but they need a few paces to take off. Zoo flamingos either have their wings regularly clipped or are pinioned, having parts of their wings removed when they are young.

Source: Lincoln Park Zoo; Sea World

2nd photo: (via Mutts) Hanover Zoo's newest addition, who increases their flamingo family to an even 100 birds,