On Wednesday, September 25th, a Caribbean flamingo hatched at
Zoo Miami! This is the first hatching of this iconic species
since 2011 and is the first time that a chick has hatched since the
flock was moved to their new exhibit in the zoo’s entry
The egg was artificially incubated when the parents kicked it
off the nest and the egg fell in the water. The incubation period
was 31 days. The parents are a 17 year old female and an 8 year
old male. The chick has been feeding well under the care of the
bird department specialists in the Brooder/Hatchery building at the
zoo and today was provided a new exercise area outdoors to help
with its continued development.
Once the chick has developed its full feathering and is feeding
well on its own, it will be introduced to the flock where it should
be accepted without any issues.
The Caribbean or American flamingo is one of the largest and
certainly the most brightly colored of all the flamingo species.
It ranges from Mexico through the Caribbean and into South America
with a small population in the Galapagos Islands. They feed on
alga and a variety of aquatic invertebrates. It is from the
keratin in their diet that they get their salmon pink coloration.
Though they are found in large flocks, they form monogamous pairs
and the females only lay one egg. When the chicks hatch, they are
a light gray color and will not achieve their adult coloration
until after they are a year old.
Though presently listed as a non-native bird in the state of
Florida, the Conservation Team at Zoo Miami has played a
significant role in re-evaluating that listing, citing evidence
that Caribbean flamingos are indeed a native bird having nested in
great numbers within the state many decades ago and should be
classified as such to provide them with greater protection.
Source: FS – Zoo Borns
FLAMINGO HATCHES AT ZOO MIAMI!