Antwerp Zoo Welcomes Flamingo Chicks Beau and Bliss

Antwerp Zoo has welcomed two new Cuban flamingo chicks named Beau and Bliss, marking the first flamingo births at the historic Belgian zoo in five years. The fluffy newcomers, approximately two weeks old, are currently pure white and will gradually develop their iconic pink coloration as they grow. According to VRT NWS, the chicks are thriving under the watchful care of their devoted parents.

A Colorful Welcome at Belgium’s Oldest Zoo

ZOO Antwerpen, the oldest zoo in Belgium, opened in 1843, and its flamingo enclosure has long been a beloved landmark near the main entrance. “I’ve worked here for 41 years and all that time the flamingo enclosure has been right near the entrance,” said Heidi Van Soest, a caretaker at the zoo. “For generations they’ve formed a colorful welcome for visitors. For many people it’s a landmark.”

The official press release from ZOO Antwerpen describes the new arrivals as “a heartwarming chirping” echoing from the flamingo enclosure. The chicks are currently housed in a separate, protected nursery zone within the enclosure, keeping them safe from seagulls and other predators while they grow.

From Pure White to Flamingo Pink

The two chicks look nothing like their parents yet. Newborn flamingos are pure white, then develop grey juvenile plumage before gradually turning pink over approximately one year. The iconic pink coloration comes from the crustaceans flamingos eat in the wild, while at ZOO Antwerpen, the birds receive specially formulated pellets containing the same pigments.

“The chicks are growing like crazy,” Van Soest told VRT NWS. “The parents did that perfectly. They took turns incubating the eggs beautifully, as it should be.”

Flamingos typically form lifelong pair bonds and share parenting duties equally. Both parents incubate the eggs, protect their young, and feed them for several months with a distinctive red crop milk — an energy-rich substance they produce themselves, similar to pigeons but with a striking red color.

“As soon as one of the chicks ventures a step too far from the nest, both parents keep a close eye on it,” Van Soest added.

A Curious Explorer Named Beau

Caretaker Yasmine, quoted in the ZOO Antwerpen press release, described the parents as remarkably vigilant. “Beau quickly proved to be a curious explorer,” she said. “He or she was the first to leave the nest to explore the surroundings, while mom and dad circled protectively around him.”

The chicks communicate intensively with their parents from their very first days, recognizing each other by voice — a skill that will help them find their parents even among a large colony later in life.

Ringing and DNA Testing Ahead

At approximately 10 days old, the chicks received official leg rings. At three months, they will receive additional color rings for easy identification from a distance, and caretakers will collect a feather sample for DNA analysis to determine whether each chick is male or female.

While the chicks gradually develop their pink feathers, their parents’ own plumage temporarily fades. The red pigment from the crop milk is transferred to the chicks, leaving the adults looking noticeably paler during the parenting period.

A History of Flamingo Births

This is not the first time ZOO Antwerpen has celebrated flamingo births. After nearly 30 years without a flamingo birth, a chick named Tajo hatched in 2018, followed by more births in 2019 and a record four chicks in 2020. Beau and Bliss represent the first flamingo chicks at the zoo in five years, a significant milestone for the institution’s breeding program.

The chicks are already visible to visitors, though they remain in their protected zone for now. As they grow and develop their pink plumage over the coming year, they will eventually join the rest of the flamingo colony in what has been, for generations, one of the most beloved sights at the historic zoo.