Our first ever flamingo chick.
We’re delighted to announce the arrival of our first ever flamingo chick, Moja - meaning number 1 in Swahili.
Earlier this year, our keepers introduced various techniques to encourage our greater flamingos (Phoenicopterus roseus) to breed.
As
well as new mirrors to give the illusion of an increased flock size and a recording of flamingo noises playing at the enclosure, we also gave our flamingos a choice of nest sites. And it looks like the hard work has paid off as they started laying eggs!
Our first chick is nearly two weeks old and is making great progress.
Section manager, David White said:
"We are really excited to have our first chick at Marwell. This is the first greater flamingo chick to have ever been born at the park so it's a huge achievement.
"With more birds now laying eggs, we are hoping for more to hatch in the future.
"Mum and Dad are doing a fantastic job of looking after the youngster and both are very protective.
"At the moment we are giving the family some space, but eventually we will be able to say if the chick is a boy or a girl."
Flamingos incubate their eggs for 30 days and the parents take it in turns to look after the youngster.
Young flamingos are grey and white and do not turn pink for two years. For the first three to four weeks, the chick is fed entirely by the parents who secrete a creamy pink liquid called 'crop milk'.