Flamingos Who Won’t Think Pink
Two baby flamingos are causing zookeepers problems at ZSL London Zoo…because they don’t like the colour pink.
London, United Kingdom, June 20, 2009 --(PR.com)-- Even though flamingos don’t see colours like people, Little and Large, who are being hand reared by keepers, are not fans of a certain shade of pink.
Keepers found that the fluffy white chicks, who were given their names because one is much bigger than the other, don’t like flamingo pink after introducing them to a pink sock puppet.
Feathers flew when Little, who weighs 420g and is miniscule compared to her 620g companion Large, was brought beak to beak with the pink flamingo puppet in a bid to encourage her to eat solid foods.
The cute chicks have since refused to have anything to do with the colour pink - which could be a problem when they move into the flamingo pool.
Keeper, Alison Brown, who has taken the youngsters under her wing, says: “They just don’t seem to like the colour. Birds see in different colour spectrums than humans – so there’s no logical reason for them not liking pink.”
“We are hoping to get them used to it before they turn pink themselves - else they will be in for a shock!”
Keepers will be getting the flamingos feet wet for the first time on Thursday morning – using a specially sourced yellow tray which they can splash about in.
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Editors Notes:
Greater Flamingos:
Flamingos are easily identifiable, colourful wading birds and often form large flocks of up to a million birds. ZSL London Zoo’s flamingo flock are Greater Flamingoes. These are a monogamous species of bird which only lay only one egg at a time. Originating from Central America, South America, Caribbean, S.W. Europe, Asia, Africa, Greater Flamingos inhabit a wide variety of freshwater and saline habitats, particularly salt lakes, estuaries and lagoons. Like many other flamingoes they feed with their long necks bent over and their bills upside down in the water. Their tongues pump salty water and mud in and out of their bills so they can catch microscopic algae, which they then eat. They also feed on insects, worms and small pieces of vegetation. Flamingoes are often seen standing on one leg which is thought to keep the hidden leg warm amongst their feathers.
ZSL
Founded in 1826, the Zoological Society of London (ZSL) is an international scientific, conservation and educational charity: our key role is the conservation of animals and their habitats. The Society runs ZSL London Zoo and ZSL Whipsnade Zoo, carries out scientific research in the Institute of Zoology and is actively involved in field conservation in other
countries worldwide. For further information please visit www.zsl.org
Keepers found that the fluffy white chicks, who were given their names because one is much bigger than the other, don’t like flamingo pink after introducing them to a pink sock puppet.
Feathers flew when Little, who weighs 420g and is miniscule compared to her 620g companion Large, was brought beak to beak with the pink flamingo puppet in a bid to encourage her to eat solid foods.
The cute chicks have since refused to have anything to do with the colour pink - which could be a problem when they move into the flamingo pool.
Keeper, Alison Brown, who has taken the youngsters under her wing, says: “They just don’t seem to like the colour. Birds see in different colour spectrums than humans – so there’s no logical reason for them not liking pink.”
“We are hoping to get them used to it before they turn pink themselves - else they will be in for a shock!”
Keepers will be getting the flamingos feet wet for the first time on Thursday morning – using a specially sourced yellow tray which they can splash about in.
###
Editors Notes:
Greater Flamingos:
Flamingos are easily identifiable, colourful wading birds and often form large flocks of up to a million birds. ZSL London Zoo’s flamingo flock are Greater Flamingoes. These are a monogamous species of bird which only lay only one egg at a time. Originating from Central America, South America, Caribbean, S.W. Europe, Asia, Africa, Greater Flamingos inhabit a wide variety of freshwater and saline habitats, particularly salt lakes, estuaries and lagoons. Like many other flamingoes they feed with their long necks bent over and their bills upside down in the water. Their tongues pump salty water and mud in and out of their bills so they can catch microscopic algae, which they then eat. They also feed on insects, worms and small pieces of vegetation. Flamingoes are often seen standing on one leg which is thought to keep the hidden leg warm amongst their feathers.
ZSL
Founded in 1826, the Zoological Society of London (ZSL) is an international scientific, conservation and educational charity: our key role is the conservation of animals and their habitats. The Society runs ZSL London Zoo and ZSL Whipsnade Zoo, carries out scientific research in the Institute of Zoology and is actively involved in field conservation in other
countries worldwide. For further information please visit www.zsl.org
Contact
ZSL London Zoo
Linsey Ford
020 7449 6236
www.zsl.org
Zoological Society of London
Regent's Park
London
NW1 4RY
Linsey Ford
020 7449 6236
www.zsl.org
Zoological Society of London
Regent's Park
London
NW1 4RY
Contact
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