Flamboyance of Flamingo Chicks at Birdland

2 Caribbean flamingo chicks have hatched at Birdland Park & Gardens weighing 85g & 105g. The new arrivals have been met with delight by keepers at the Bourton-on-the-Water who incubated the eggs and have been rearing by hand.

The chicks, who are just over four weeks old, are a whitish grey colour rather than the distinctive pink. It will take up to 3 years for them to reach their mature colours. Flamingo chicks' bills when they first hatch are small and straight, however the new arrival's beaks are already developing the distinct "break" curve.

Head Keeper Alistair Keen says: “We are thrilled to have two Caribbean flamingo chicks hatched at Birdland. The eggs came to us from Chester Zoo because we are hoping to boost our flock numbers. Flamingos are monogamous birds that lay only a single egg, and do not lay a replacement if lost/ damaged, so we are pleased to have new chicks to join the group.”

He continues: “The chicks are now 750g in weight and doing really well. We will introduce them to the Stand in the next 6 weeks using a holding pen. They will then join the 14 adult Caribbean Flamingos when they are 4-5 months old.”

Usually parent flamingos feed their chicks exclusively crop milk for 5-12 days after hatching; however keepers have been hand-feeding the chicks a high fat, high protein substance which is excellent nutrition for growing flamingos.

Visitors can see the flamboyance of Flamingos at Birdland daily from 10am and watch Flamingo feeding at 11.30am.

ENDS

For more information please contact:

Melodie Manners | melodie@flamingo-marketing.co.uk | 01637 873379 or 07815 709548

Notes to Editors

•Birdland is situated in the beautiful Cotswold village of Bourton-on-the-Water, Gloucestershire.
• Established in 1957, Birdland was one of the first bird encounters to open in the UK.
• The Park and Gardens cover a 9.5-acre site situated around the River Windrush.
• 7 acres are dedicated to the Bird Gardens featuring over 500 exotic and rare birds, 140 species in 50 aviaries including everything from flamingos, pelicans, owls to hornbills, touracos and cassowary.  Temperate and Desert Houses are home to delicate species.  Birdland has the only breeding group of King Penguins in the country.  Spike the King Penguin, who was hand-reared, is a popular resident with his own Facebook and Twitter following.
• There are a number of rare species at Birdland and the team are actively involved with global breeding programmes.
• The 2.5-acre Marshmouth Nature Reserve is a secluded trail where many indigenous species from kingfishers to otters are regularly spotted.

• Birdland is open daily from 10am, closed Christmas Day only.

• Find us at: Birdland, Rissington Road, Bourton-on-the-Water, Gloucester, GL54 2BN

• Admission:  Adult £9.95 Child £6.95 Senior/Student £8.95 Family £31.00 (2+2)

For more information visit: www.birdland.co.uk 

Birdland Park & Gardens, Rissington Road, Bourton-on-the-Water, Glos, GL54 2BN

Tel: 01451 820480   Email: info@birdland.co.uk   www.birdland.co.uk