We’re used to seeing a flamingo all leggy and pink.
But a baby flamingo? They’re almost as mysterious and elusive as baby squirrels.
Finally, we can thank the National Aviary, in Pittsburgh for sharing some images of a flamingo hatchling.
This one is only four days old and check out those knees.
Brighten up your week by meeting a baby flamingo! Help us welcome this newly hatched flamingo at the National Aviary. #NationalAviary pic.twitter.com/GSy70DI9Sb
— National Aviary (@National_Aviary) June 29, 2017
And here it is, strutting his – or her — stuff.
“There is no way of telling if flamingo chicks are male or female just by looking at them,” the aviary explains. “In order to determine gender, we will send feathers to a lab to have them DNA tested.”
Look at this little one go! Our baby flamingo is stretching its legs outside in the Rose Garden at the National Aviary. #NationalAviary #Pgh pic.twitter.com/H6XY7Ecw6w
— National Aviary (@National_Aviary) June 30, 2017
The aviary’s American Flamingos laid eggs at the aviary from May 26 to June 9.
The first chick hatched June 25.
Oh, if you’re wondering why they aren’t pink. That’s because chicks have light grey and white feathers but change pigment around when they turn 1.
The rosy hue comes from the algae, diatoms, small fish and crustaceans the birds eat.
“They also eat aquatic insects and larvae. All of these foods have very high concentrations of carotenoid pigments, and it is these which give flamingos their bright pink coloration,” the facility says.
So by this time next year, they’ll look like this.
And, here’s a fun bird fact.
Did you know proportionately, flamingos are the longest neck and longest legged birds in the world?
Photos National Aviary/Facebook
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