Baby Boom at Zoo Atlanta
8-13-09
Four bird species become parents in an exciting celebration of new life
ATLANTA – August 13, 2009 – Babies born everywhere … four bird species at Zoo Atlanta have become parents this week, with an additional pair successfully raising a youngster to a celebratory milestone. Kori bustards, Chilean flamingos, Gambel’s quail and a Palawan peacock pheasant hatched in the first week of August. In keeping with the Zoo’s feathered baby boom, a wreathed hornbill chick is also preparing to fledge the nest.
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| Kori Bustard chicks |
“Every animal birth is important to Zoo Atlanta, but to have so many different species born in such a short time frame is very exciting for us,” said Dennis Kelly, President and CEO. “The recent hatchlings are a testament to the knowledge, dedication and expertise of our animal care professionals.”
Kori bustard
Just days after a special flight from Washington, D.C., two kori bustard eggs hatched on August 4 and 5. Zoo staff traveled to Smithsonian’s National Zoo to retrieve the eggs, which the Kori Bustard Species Survival Plan recommended be hatched and raised in Atlanta. The chicks currently reside in a state-of-the-art new bird propagation center at Zoo Atlanta. The chicks, who will eventually be introduced to a resident adult pair, will remain at the Zoo for approximately a year.
Wreathed hornbill
Hatched the first week of May, a wreathed hornbill chick is expected to leave its nest box soon. The milestone is a particular coup for Zoo Atlanta, as the species’ unusually complex reproductive behavior makes wreathed hornbills highly difficult to breed. Following breeding, a male uses mud to completely enclose the female in a tree cavity, leaving only a tiny hole through which he feeds his mate and offspring. Until now, Zoo staff has monitored the chick and its mother via video captured by an infrared camera located inside the nest.
Chilean flamingo
Zoo Atlanta has a national reputation for the successful reproduction of Chilean flamingos, and the 2009 breeding season continues to be no exception. Seven flamingo pairs are now actively rearing chicks that hatched in the first week of August. The flock also produced numerous eggs earlier this summer, all of which were transported to other institutions for hatching.
Gambel’s quail
Two tiny Gambel’s quail chicks are currently being cared for by staff in the Zoo’s Wieland Wildlife Home, where they will be used in the Zoo’s education programs. The chicks’ parents, residents of the new Boundless Budgies: A Parakeet Adventure, are themselves recent additions to the collection. Gambel’s quail are a primarily ground-dwelling species found in the southwestern U.S. and parts of Mexico.
Palawan peacock pheasant
A Palawan peacock pheasant hatched on August 5, with a surprising early start for its parents. Like the Gambel’s quail, both adults are new to the Zoo. Native to Palawan Island in the southern Philippines, the species is considered vulnerable in the wild.
And, in keeping with Zoo Atlanta’s recent baby boom, the latest installment of the 2009 Discovery Talk Series taking place on August 13 begins with an exclusive after-hours visit to see the Zoo’s Chilean flamingos. Hang out with the flock, and head over to the Conservation Action Resource Center (ARC) for complimentary drinks and mingling. Then, settle back for a fascinating and surprising night of insights as James Ballance, Curator of Birds, leads a spirited soar through the Zoo’s avian universe.
Discovery Talk begins promptly at 7 p.m.
Discovery Talks are FREE for Adventure Pack Members and up; $5 for Family and Companion Members; $7 for non-Members. Space is limited! Reservations are available online on zooatlanta.org.
