Following a prolonged hiatus, flamingos give birth again.
Flamingo Chicks Hatch in Grugapark Essen
In recent weeks, three flamingo chicks have hatched at Grugapark Essen, marking a significant milestone for the aviary. This event follows a 16-year absence of flamingo offspring in the park.
Visitors to the park can observe the free-flying birds without barriers, immersing themselves in a landscape that resembles the flamingos' natural habitat. The aviary, one of the largest free-flight constructions in Germany, boasts a lake, a waterfall with a viewing platform, rock formations, and numerous plants.
Flamingos typically begin breeding when they are around 3 to 6 years old. However, breeding might be delayed in managed populations due to social and environmental factors. In the case of Grugapark Essen, the "older flamingo ladies" have laid the eggs that resulted in the hatching of the chicks.
The chicks are distinguishable due to their light grey and fluffy feathers. Over time, as they consume carotenoid-rich foods, their feathers will gradually turn pink, typically over several years. In captivity, zookeepers carefully manage flamingo diets to include carotenoid-rich foods or supplements to help develop their pink coloration.
The aviary is home to 20 flamingos, as well as a variety of other bird species, such as spoonbills, night herons, egrets, red-footed boobies, ducks, owls, and more. This year, spoonbills, night herons, egrets, red-footed boobies, and ducks also had offspring, in addition to the flamingos.
While two Eurasian eagle owls and three little owls hatched in mid-April, these owls are kept in an area that is not visible to visitors. The aviary is open to the public for observation, with the exception of the areas where the Eurasian eagle owls and little owls are kept.
Last year, Grugapark acquired ten new flamingos to rejuvenate the flamingo group. In their natural habitat, flamingos acquire their typical red color through diet, eating small crabs and algae that contain carotenoids. At Grugapark, animal caretakers mix paprika powder into the food to aid in coloring the feathers.
The aviary is open daily from 11 am to 7 pm during the summer season, and admission is included in the Grugapark ticket. With the arrival of the flamingo chicks, Grugapark Essen offers a unique opportunity for visitors to witness the development of these iconic birds up close.
Home-and-garden Life at Grugapark Essen has been enriched with the addition of flamingo chicks, marking a new chapter in the park's home-and-garden lifestyle. These chicks, along with other bird species like spoonbills, night heron, and egrets, are part of the diverse home-and-garden population within the aviary.
