New Flamingo hatchling first in Jax Zoo history

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- The Jacksonville Zoo welcomes the first Flamingo hatchling in Jacksonville Zoo's history.

This is the 13th baby to be hatched or born at the zoo since May 31st. The gender of the chick is unknown and the chick has not yet been named.

The hatchling is one of two Caribbean Flamingo eggs recently acquired from the National Zoo in Washington, D.C. The eggs arrived July 16 and the first chick hatched on July 19. The second chick is expected to hatch around July 28.

According to the Deputy Director of Conservation and Education for the Zoo, flamingos have been featured at the zoo for almost 50 years but there has never been a recorded hatching.

The eggs were brought in to even out the ratio of males and females in hope to eventually increase the flocks numbers and productivity.

The chicks will slowly be introduced into their new surroundings.  They will spend some time in a pen next to the flock's nesting area before they will be able to roam freely.

Flamingos travel in large flocks and are primarily found along the coast of the Caribbean Sea and the Gulf of Mexico.  Flamingo chicks have white feathers that turn gray and later take their pink color from the food they eat, like shrimp.