Four American Flamingo Chicks Hatch at Brookfield Zoo Chicago

Brookfield, Ill. — Brookfield Zoo Chicago is excited to announce the hatching of four American flamingo chicks. Two of the birds hatched on July 26, one on July 28, and the youngest on August 7.

All four chicks, whose genders are yet to be determined, are currently under the expert care of the Zoo’s animal care staff and are being housed behind the scenes, but guests will be able to see them soon. Beginning August 19, the young birds can be seen daily through the Penguin Encounter room window from 12:30 to 1 p.m., where they will engage in exercise and water play, offering a unique glimpse into their early development.

Then, in early September, staff will be taking the birds outdoors on the South Mall for their daily sessions, also from 12:30 to 1 p.m. These activities are important for the chicks to build the strength and confidence needed to join the larger flock. When the chicks are about 2 months old, zoogoers will be able to see them daily at The Swamp along with the older flamingos who arrived at the Zoo in 2023.

“We are thrilled to welcome more American flamingos to our family of aquatic birds,” said Cody Hickman, associate director of avian care. “Our goal is to continue breeding and hatching chicks to establish a large flock, mirroring their social groups in the wild.”

Zoo guests can expect to see downy, gray-feathered chicks with their distinctive pink feathers coming in gradually as they mature. Native to the Caribbean Islands, South America’s northern coastline, and the southeastern United States, flamingos are social birds typically living in large flocks. Fully grown by age 2, they can reach up to 5 feet tall with a similar-length wingspan.

For those eager to interact with the year-old flamingos, the Flamingo Feeding Adventure is available at The Swamp on select days and times through Labor Day. Or, guests can join in the daily flamingo parade, when the flamboyant birds take their daily strolls to the Formal Pool around 10:15 a.m. and back to The Swamp at 2:45 p.m., weather permitting

Flamingo lovers can help support the pink-feathered birds at Brookfield Zoo Chicago by contributing to the Animal Adoption program. For $35, a recipient receives the Friend Package, which includes a personalized certificate of adoption, a 5-inch x 7-inch color photograph of an American flamingo, a fact sheet on the species, an Animal Adoption program decal, and an invitation to the exclusive 2024 Animal Adoption summer event. The $65 Plush Package includes all the benefits of the Friend Package as well as an adorable 12-inch pink plush flamingo and four free tickets to the Animal Adoption evening in 2025. To purchase, visit www.BrookfieldZoo.org/AmericanFlamingo.

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Photos (credit: Brookfield Zoo Chicago)
6800, 6803, 6807, and 6810: Recently hatched American flamingo chicks at Brookfield Zoo Chicago.

About Brookfield Zoo Chicago
Celebrating 90 years as a global leader in animal well-being and conservation, Brookfield Zoo Chicago inspires conservation leadership by igniting emotional connections for people with wildlife and nature, locally and globally. The Zoo is a private nonprofit organization that operates on 235 acres of land owned by the Forest Preserves of Cook County and is home to more than 3,500 animals representing over 500 species, including many of Earth’s most endangered. Brookfield Zoo Chicago was the first zoo in the world to be awarded the Humane Certified™ certification mark for the care and welfare of its animals, is an accredited member of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums, the Alliance of Marine Mammal Parks and Aquariums and ArbNet. For more information, visit www.brookfieldzoo.org.