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On Saturday, June 19th, a Caribbean flamingo hatched at Zoo Miami! The sex of the hatchling is still unknown. Three other eggs are still incubating.
The egg was artificially incubated to avoid the risk of loss to environmental conditions such as predation or extreme weather. The incubation period was 28 days. The parents are a 22-year old female and a 10-year-old male. The chick has been feeding well under the care of the Animal Science staff in the Avian Propagation Center at the zoo. In addition to regular feedings, it participates in daily walks to encourage proper physical 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 is anticipated that it will be accepted without any issues.
The Caribbean or American flamingo is one of the largest and 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 algae and a variety of aquatic invertebrates. It is from the carotenoids 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 full adult coloration until they are close to three years old.
Thanks in part to the efforts of the Conservation and Research Team at Zoo Miami, Caribbean flamingos are now officially listed as a native Florida bird having nested in great numbers within the state many decades ago. With the recent frequent appearances of flamingos seen living in the state, the hope is that this iconic species will once again take up permanent residency and successfully reproduce. Doing so would be a very encouraging indication that Everglades restoration efforts are making a positive difference in bringing back the natural habitat that is necessary for their survival.
There is a strong campaign to officially name the flamingo the State Bird of Florida which is going to be considered in the next session of the Florida Legislature.
