Flamingo chicks hatch at Potawatomi Zoo

SOUTH BEND, Ind. - Two flamingo chicks hatched at Potawatomi Zoo, marking the first time the zoo has had two healthy flamingo chicks at once.

The first chick hatched on July 11 and the second on July 13.

“It’s remarkable that we’ve been able to start a successful flamingo breeding program here at the zoo,” says Josh Sisk, Executive Director of the Potawatomi Zoo. “Flamingos don’t typically have fertile eggs with flocks that are smaller than 20 individuals, and this year, we have two different females that have successfully hatched chicks.”

The new chicks hatched under unusual circumstances.

Both flamingo parents usually take an active role in sitting on the egg and feeding the chick.

The first chick, however, was hatched by flamingo Cherry Blossom alone.

The second chick was laid by one bonded pair, Pinky and Boyfriend, but staff moved the egg to a different bonded pair, Lila and Brick, where it hatched.

At least one other flamingo at the zoo is sitting on an egg and zoo staff thinks the flamingos could lay more eggs this season.

Soon, the zoo will do DNA testing to determine the sex of the two new chicks.

Visitors can see the zoo's new residents in the flamingo habitat.