A fluffy new flock of 21 Caribbean flamingo chicks has hatched at Chester Zoo.
The chicks began to break out of their shells in late June, bringing the zoo’s total number of Caribbean flamingos up to 120.
All 21 youngsters are being hand-fed by zookeepers four times a day, and will receive this special attention for around another five weeks.
Posting a video of the new youngsters to Facebook, Chester Zoo said: “21 fluffy flamingos have hatched!”
Pretty in pink! Flamingo chicks find their feet at Chester Zoo
21 fluffy flamingos have hatched! ??
Posted by Chester Zoo on Wednesday, August 15, 2018
Unlike the colourful adults, flamingo chicks are a whitish-grey colour, and will develop their pink feathers at around six months old.
The flamingo’s vibrant colour comes from the rich sources of carotenoid pigments in the algae and small crustaceans the birds eat.
Once all of the new chicks are developed enough to fully feed themselves, the group will move to another zoo to help form a brand new colony.
