Riverbanks Welcomes Two Flamingo Chicks and Offers a New Twist on their Rearing

Riverbanks Zoo and Garden is proud to announce the addition of two chicks to the flamingo flock. But don’t expect to see pink babies walking around just yet; it takes them a year to attain the notorious color.

“Flamingos receive their pink coloring from the food that they eat,” said Martin Vince, curator of birds at Riverbanks Zoo and Garden. “At Riverbanks, we feed a specialized pellet diet that contains the nutrients flamingos require to maintain their vibrant color.”

While Riverbanks successfully hatches flamingo chicks each year, Starbuck, born June 28, and Boomer, born July 9, have experienced a most interesting upbringing. In order to combat problems with nest predation and to help the young birds integrate into the flock, the flamingo chicks have been removed from the exhibit each evening, kept in a brooder in the Bird Conservation Center and then reunited with their parents each morning.

“The process of fostering chicks and then returning them to their parents mimics the behavior of wild flamingos, but has never been done in a Zoo before,” said Vince. “In the wild, flamingo chicks will stay together as a group while their parents wander. When the parents return, they rely on the distinctive vocalizations of their offspring to reconnect and resume caring for their young.”

The chicks are growing rapidly, and there is already a visible size difference between Starbuck and Boomer. To catch them while they’re still small, plan on visiting soon. The baby flamingos are on exhibit from 9am to 5pm each day.

It is the mission of Riverbanks Zoo and Garden to foster appreciation and concern for all living things. Riverbanks is located at 500 Wildlife Parkway, Columbia, SC 29210. The Botanical Garden entrance is located at 1300 Botanical Parkway, West Columbia, SC 29169. The park is open daily from 9am to 5pm, except for Thanksgiving and Christmas day. Admission is $11.75 for adults, $9.25 for children ages 3 – 12 and free for children 2 and under. Group rates and other discounts may apply. Rates, dates and times are subject to change. For the most current information, call Riverbanks at 803.779.8717 or visit www.riverbanks.org.