In Chile Curtis & Arthur a same-gender flamingo couple at the Paignton Zoo have hatched a new chick marking the zoo’s first successful hatching of the species since 2018. Though Paignton’s bird curator Pete Smallbones was not entirely sure how the same-gender flamingo couple acquired the chick he stated, “The most likely scenario is that the egg was abandoned by another couple, so this pair have adopted it. We have had several all-male pairings over the years, but this is the first season that an egg has been successfully hatched by a same-sex pair.
The bird department aren’t surprised that the same-sex pair have successfully hatched an egg & are now rearing a chick, but for other departments it has been a bit of a surprise. We are pleased at the success of this year’s breeding program so far. It’s a testament to the skill & hard work put in by the bird team & we are hopeful that we may see more eggs hatch over the coming days & weeks. The whole zoo is pleased to have flamingo chicks back on the lagoon. They can’t fail to brighten up your day when you catch a glimpse of them.” The curator added that Curtis & Arthur are a new couple at the lagoon & are raising the chick together. Chilean flamingos are native to South America & can be found in shallow lakes in various countries including Chile & Argentina. According to Smallbones the species are declining in number due to factors including tourism, habitat loss & egg-harvesting. Flamingo eggs hatch after about 28 days when they are incubated on mud pile nests by both parents. The chicks initially appear covered in grey & downy feathers but will mature into a fabulous pink flamingo.
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