Flamingos Return to the Milwaukee County Zoo!

Flamingo

The Idabel Wilmot Borchert Flamingo Exhibit and Overlook Opens May 24.

The Milwaukee County Zoo is about to become a bit prettier, as a flock of Caribbean flamingos take up permanent residence at the Zoo beginning May 24 with the Idabel Wilmot Borchert Flamingo Exhibit and Overlook opening.

A Splash of Pink! Located between the Zoo’s Animal Health Center and the Herb & Nada Mahler Family Aviary, the exhibit features a lush yard and pond, along with walking paths and benches for easy viewing of these striking birds.

A flamingo building (not open to the public) serves as a wintering home for the flock, as well as a comfortable place to reside when they need warmer temperatures. Although they’re tropical birds, flamingos are remarkably tolerant and can even walk in the snow. However, they will have access to a warm environment if needed, as the building’s temperature will be controlled in winter, with special fans placed above the doors.

Inside the building, the birds can enjoy fresh air circulated by air vents and filters, indoor wading pools and resilient flooring that is easy on their feet. A spacious kitchen area for preparing the flamingos’ food and extra space for housing other birds, such as penguins, will make it easier for the zookeepers to care for the collection.

As the flock adjusts to the cooler Wisconsin temperatures, these young birds (hatched and reared at the San Antonio Zoo in Texas,) will enjoy the outdoors nearly year-round. An outdoor porch, enclosed with predator-proof mesh, will allow the birds to venture out during the nighttime hours.

For Zoo visitors, the exhibit features close-up views and new, colorful graphics complete with fun facts about the birds. (For example: The flamingo’s characteristic pink coloring is enhanced by the beta carotene in their diet.) Eventually an observation deck will be built overlooking the pond to give guests an even better vantage point of the flock.

Caribbean flamingos are found as far north as Florida and as far south as the Galapagos Islands. They are highly social birds, and in the wild, can live in colonies comprised of thousands of individuals. Caribbean flamingos have a loud, deep honking call that is similar to a goose, and they call loudly during courtship, but have a quieter call while they’re feeding.

Flamingos are more likely to breed in large flocks; so the Zoo hopes to bring in additional birds in the future. The plan is to have 40 flamingos by 2010. So, zookeepers hope that visitors will be seeing pink for years to come.

For more information on the flamingos, call the Zoo’s Public Affairs and Services office at (414) 256-5466.