Same sex flamingo couple successfully hatch an egg together at Paignton Zoo

For the first time since 2018, Paignton Zoo has welcomed a number of Chilean flamingo chicks. The vibrant new additions are the offspring of several flamingo couples who were named by the public earlier this year, including the same-sex pair, Curtis and Arthur.

It is not known exactly how Curtis and Arthur have acquired the chick. Pete Smallbones, Curator of Birds at Paignton Zoo, commented: “Regarding the same-sex parenting, we aren’t entirely sure how this has come about, although it is a known phenomenon in Chilean flamingos as well as other bird flocks. The most likely scenario is that the egg was abandoned by another couple, so this pair have ‘adopted’ it.”

Other named couples that have hatched chicks include Florence and Flame, Frenchie and Del, and Flossie and Lando. These flamingos were all named by the public earlier in the year in order to better document the couples as their paired up over the summer. The initiative, named ‘Love Lagoon’ in an homage to the popular reality TV series ‘Love Island’, has seen frequent updates posted on the zoo’s Instagram channel.

Flamingo eggs hatch after a period of approximately 28 days, where they are incubated on mud pile nests by both parents. The chicks, covered in grey, downy feathers, can appear quite different from their adult counterparts. While there are currently only four chicks on the island, there are still a number of eggs incubating.

Mr Smallbones continues: “We are pleased at the success of this year’s breeding programme so far. It’s a testament to the skill and hard work put in by the Bird Team and we are hopeful that we may see more eggs hatch over the coming days and weeks.”

Chilean flamingos are native to South America, inhabiting brackish or alkaline shallow lakes across various countries. Unfortunately, this species is declining in the wild due to a number of factors, including egg-harvesting, disturbance by tourism, and habitat degradation due to mining. The success of the breeding programme is a testament to Paignton Zoo’s commitment to the conservation of this Near Threatened species.

To visit the flamingo chicks and take advantage of the zoo’s summer offer, book your tickets online here: https://www.paigntonzoo.org.uk/