Two Chilean flamingos have hatched at Woodland Park Zoo, marking the second successful breeding season for the species. The first chick hatched on Oct. 3, followed by the second hatching on Oct. 9. Both chicks are under the care of their parents in the flamingo exhibit near the Temperate Forest. Both parents care for their chick, feeding them “crop milk,” which is nutritionally similar to milk that is produced by mammals. The chicks leave their nest about three to five days after hatching but remain in close proximity to their parents for feedings and brooding.
Photo credits: Dennis Dow / Woodland Park Zoo
Continue reading below the fold
Three more eggs are expected to hatch later in the month. Last year’s flock produced three chicks, which were hand-raised by the zoo’s team of expert staff before being introduced to the colony.
Flamingo chicks hatch with a whitish, gray down and can acquire extensive pink feathering that can be mixed with gray-brown contour feathers at about 1 year of age. Juveniles usually have full pink feathering by 2 to 3 years of age. These hardy, social birds of South America stand an impressive 40 to 42 inches tall.
Woodland Park Zoo’s flamingo exhibit near the Temperate Forest. Park in the inner lot at the NORTH end where the admin. offices are located off N. 59th St. & Phinney Ave. N. Meet inside the new West Entrance for staff escort. If late, proceed to the flamingo exhibit.
INFO: Chilean flamingos have a range that extends from an elevation of 15,420 feet in the altiplano (high mountain plateau), to lowland saline estuaries where some overwinter along the southwest Chilean coast.
Winter hours: 9:30 a.m.-4:00 p.m. daily. Admission: Adult (13-64) $11; Child (3-12) $8; Toddler (0-2) Free. Seniors and people with disabilities receive a discount and zoo members receive free zoo admission year-round. Parking: $5. For more information or to become a zoo member, call 206.548.2500 or 206.548.2599 (TTY), or visit the zoo’s website at www.zoo.org.
