Birdland Welcomes Flamingo Chicks

Birdland Park and Gardens in Bourton-on-the-Water is celebrating a successful summer breeding season with the birth of seven greater flamingo chicks and several more eggs expected to hatch in the coming weeks.

Among the proud parents is a remarkable 66-year-old male flamingo, continuing to defy age and contribute to the thriving colony at the popular wildlife attraction.

The greater flamingo is the largest and most widespread species in the flamingo family.

In the wild, these birds typically live between 20 and 30 years, but in well-managed zoological settings they can live significantly longer. The oldest flamingo on record reached the age of 83 at a zoo in Australia.

“It’s been a great summer for new chicks so far and we’re delighted to see some of the birds breed for the very first time, while for others, like our sexagenarian dad, this is the latest in multiple successful breeding seasons,” said Head Keeper Alistair Keen.

“Breeding is a great indication the birds are happy and healthy and is also a really important part of our role as a wildlife collection.”

Flamingo chicks are born grey and gradually develop their iconic pink colouring as they grow.

This distinctive colour comes from pigments found in their natural diet, which consists of brine shrimp and other tiny aquatic creatures. Different flamingo colonies often display slightly different shades depending on their specific diet.

Known for their strong social bonds, flamingos are monogamous and typically form lifelong partnerships.

They also prefer to live in large flocks for protection and social interaction, with groups of over a million birds recorded in the wild. A group of flamingos is fittingly called a flamboyance.

In addition to its greater flamingo colony, Birdland is home to over 500 birds, including parrots, cassowaries, cranes and England’s only breeding colony of king penguins.

Set among riverside, woodland and beautifully maintained gardens, the park offers a unique setting for observing rare and exotic birdlife in both aviary and open-air environments.

Photos by Cotswold House Photography