Flock this way: Baby flamingo chicks learn to walk

The fluffy 2-week-old chicks are being hand-reared at the Oregon Zoo
The Oregon Zoo's bird family was tickled pink this week as five fluffy baby flamingos learned to walk. The 2-week-old muffin-sized chicks are the first flamingos to hatch at the zoo.
"The chicks have really long legs, so they were pretty wobbly at first," said senior flamingo keeper Barbara Suhn. "But they're getting really good on their feet. They'll be running around the zoo in no time."
Keepers take the fluffy chicks out of the nursery twice daily for short sunny walks and swim sessions. According to Suhn, the tiny gray birds are already full of personality and love to keep their care staff on their toes.
"The chicks love to play with each other and explore their surroundings," Suhn said. "They've got so much energy — it's really fun to watch."
The chicks are being cared for in the zoo's behind-the-scenes bird nursery, but visitors to the zoo might be able to catch a glimpse of the fluffy baby birds practicing their walking at the Family Farm on sunny days. When they're big enough, they'll join the zoo's adult flamingos in the Africa Rainforest Aviary.
The five feathered friends are greater flamingos, and will grow to be larger than the adult lesser flamingos currently living in the aviary. As they get older they'll lose their downy gray feathers, and will develop their signature pink flamingo coloring.
The new arrivals came to the Oregon Zoo as eggs on a recommendation by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums' Species Survival Plan for greater flamingos — a cooperative program among accredited zoos that helps create genetically diverse, self-sustaining populations to guarantee the long-term future of animals. These SSPs also support relevant field projects, research and public education to help prevent animal endangerment and extinction.
More News

Zoo, partners return 19 endangered turtles to wild
Zoo-reared northwestern pond turtles are released in the Columbia River Gorge It was a shell-ebration last week for 19 northwestern pond turtles reared at the Oregon Zoo. In addition to partners from the Washington Department of Fish & Wildlife and U
May 19, 2025

Sad goodbye to "Sir Snacks-a-lot," beloved red panda Moshu
The Oregon Zoo is mourning the loss of beloved red panda Moshu, who passed away peacefully this morning, more than a year after being diagnosed with severe heart disease.May 14, 2025

Take action: Protect wildlife by protecting their homes
Speak up to protect wildlife. Submit a public comment urging the government to keep the Endangered Species Act strong — including protections for habitat.May 8, 2025