Como Zoo’s Newest Resident

A Chilean flamingo is the first flamingo in Como Zoo’s history to have a baby chick.  Como has been exhibiting flamingos since the late 1960s. 

The small hatchling burst from its egg on Thursday in the Zoo's Bird Yard.

Due to their unusual breeding practices, many zoos and other institutions have been unsuccessful producing flamingo chicks.  But with increased research, zoos have been becoming more successful in recent years.  In fact, within the past week Lincoln Park Zoo and Denver Zoo reported their first eggs in history too. 

Como keepers attribute the success on a few other factors.  The birds were outside a little earlier this season, as well as the wetter than normal spring. This hatchling is one of three eggs laid in late June, the other two appear not to be viable. 

Flamingo are most known for their remarkable pale pink to salmon and red coloring, but they don’t look this way when they hatch.  Flamingo chicks are born white and turn grey after a few weeks.  It is after a year or so, and with a proper diet, that they begin to develop their pink coloring.  Alpha and Beta carotene pigments in a flamingo’s diet create the brilliant hues.  These pigments are added to the diets of captive flamingos. 

For over 100 years, Marjorie McNeely Conservatory and Como Zoo in Saint Paul, Minnesota has charmed, educated and entertained millions of children and adults while fostering an appreciation of the natural world.  Como Park Zoo and Conservatory welcomes 1.7 million visitors from around the world, making it the second biggest tourist attraction in Minnesota.  Admission to both the Como Zoo and Marjorie McNeely Conservatory is always free and a voluntary donation is appreciated. For more information, visit www.comozooconservatory.org.