The Gladys Porter Zoo is tickled pink to introduce Paige,
Chico, and Angela, three baby Chilean Flamingos that hatched earlier this
month.  They are the first Chilean Flamingos to hatch at Gladys Porter Zoo in ten years.

Paige emerged from her egg on September 2, 2012. Chico hatched
on September 7, and Angela followed soon after on September 8.

In early August, Jesse
Olvera, Head Keeper in the Bird Department, traveled to Sea World in San Antonio to obtain the eight eggs that Sea
World graciously donated to the zoo. The eggs were artificially incubated for
28-30 days under the watchful eye of the Bird Department.

Though the eggs arrived at the zoo together, the eggs were
laid by different parents. Of the eight eggs, three hatched. 

Flamingo eggs must be monitored closely due to their
permeable shells. Humidity and temperature must be adjusted and checked
regularly, and the eggs must be rotated every four hours to ensure a healthy
hatching.

Flamingo chicks have downy grey feathers.  It will take roughly two years before they take
on the light pink color of adult Flamingos. 

Photo Credits:  Gladys Porter Zoo