Lincoln Park Zoo in Chicago has welcomed two new additions to its flamingo population. Two Chilean flamingo chicks hatched on August 22 and 29 after a monthlong incubation period. Both chicks are healthy and under close observation by the zoo's Animal Care and veterinary staff, though their sex remains undetermined.

The births are part of the Chilean Flamingo Species Survival Plan (SSP), a collaborative initiative among institutions affiliated with the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA). The chicks are being raised by foster parents, a practice common in AZA-accredited facilities to enhance survival chances.

Nicole Finch-Mason, Hope B. McCormick Curator of Birds, stated, “We’re excited to share that the chicks are healthy, and their foster parents are doing a great job raising the newborns. We really couldn’t ask for a better outcome right now.” She added that it will be enjoyable to see the chicks mature into their iconic pink plumage over the next two years.

Currently, the young flamingos have gray-white feathers but will eventually develop their bright pink color. For now, they remain behind the scenes but will be displayed at Lincoln Park Zoo’s Flamingo Lagoon as they grow. While starting to eat independently, they primarily rely on "milk" produced from both parents' crop glands—a process stimulated by prolactin secretion.

The parent flamingos will continue feeding until the chicks can fly and have developed bent beaks, typically occurring 65 to 70 days post-hatching. Once leaving their nests, these young birds will join larger groups called crèches at the zoo.

Chilean flamingos face threats such as egg harvesting, hunting, and habitat loss due to mining and recreational activities. They inhabit regions from Peru through the Andes to Uruguay and Tierra del Fuego. These birds can endure extreme conditions like high altitudes in their native Andes Mountains.

Lincoln Park Zoo offers an indoor habitat for its Chilean flamingos during Chicago's colder months. The zoo is committed to creating environments where wildlife thrives amid urbanization.

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