Photo: Wild Planet Trust
Paignton Zoo, in the United Kingdom, has recently welcomed an adorable group of new habitants. For the first time since 2018, the zoo has seen the birth of a handful of Chilean flamingo chicks. Among the new bird parents, are Curtis and Arthur, a same-sex pair that successfully hatched a chick.
While zoo workers are puzzled by the whole thing, Pete Smallbones, curator of birds at Paignton Zoo, has a theory. “Regarding the same-sex parenting, we aren’t entirely sure how this has come about, although it is a known phenomenon in Chilean flamingos as well as other bird flocks,” Smallbones said in a statement. “The most likely scenario is that the egg was abandoned by another couple, so this pair have ‘adopted’ it.”
On average, Chilean flamingo eggs usually hatch after 28 day. After being laid, the eggs are incubated on mud pile nests by both parents. When they are born, the chicks are covered in gray, downy feathers—a striking difference from the bright pink that makes adult flamingos so recognizable.
Curtis and Arthur are not the only ones who have welcomed a bundle of joy. Ahead of the summer mating season, the zoo had the public name the flamingos, and launched an initiative known as “Love Lagoon,” in which people could follow along as the birds formed families, inspired by the hit show Love Island. While there are currently only a few of chicks on the island, there are still a number of eggs incubating.
On top of the adorable scene, the arrival of new chicks offers some hope. Chilean flamingos, which are native to South America, are declining in the wild due to egg-harvesting, habitat degradation due to mining, and disturbance from tourists.
“We are pleased at the success of this year’s breeding programme so far,” Smallbones added. “It’s a testament to the skill and hard work put in by the Bird Team and we are hopeful that we may see more eggs hatch over the coming days and weeks.”
Flamingos are not the only birds known to form same-sex pairs and hatch eggs. In 2022, Elmer and Lima, two male penguins at Rosamond Gifford Zoo in Syracuse, New York, welcomed a baby. On top of that, they showed exemplary behavior while incubating it, taking turns and being careful.
Ted Fox, zoo director at Rosamond Gifford, says, “Elmer and Lima’s success at fostering is one more story that our zoo can share to help people of all ages and backgrounds relate to animals.”
Curtis and Arthur, a same-sex pair of flamingos living at UK's Paignton Zoo, successfully hatched a chick.
Photo: Wild Planet Trust
“The most likely scenario is that the egg was abandoned by another couple, so this pair have ‘adopted’ it,” said Pete Smallbones, curator of birds at Paignton Zoo.
Photo: Wild Planet Trust
“Regarding the same-sex parenting, we aren’t entirely sure how this has come about, although it is a known phenomenon in Chilean flamingos as well as other bird flocks.”
Photo: Wild Planet Trust
When they are born, the chicks are covered in gray, downy feathers—a striking difference from the bright pink that makes adult flamingos so recognizable.
Photo: Wild Planet Trust
On top of the adorable scene, the arrival of new chicks offers some hope, as Chilean flamingos are declining in the wild.
Photo: Wild Planet Trust
“It’s a testament to the skill and hard work put in by the Bird Team and we are hopeful that we may see more eggs hatch over the coming days and weeks.”
Photo: Wild Planet Trust
Paignton Zoo: Website | Instagram
My Modern Met granted permission to feature photos by Wild Planet Trust.
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