Latest news with #LukeForster
Yahoo
8 hours ago
- Science
- Yahoo
Zoo flamingo breeding delayed by dry spring
The start of a zoo's flamingo breeding season has been delayed for the longest time on record by dry spring weather. Blackpool Zoo said it had shipped in four tonnes of sand to encourage the birds to construct their nests but it was only since the rain had returned that they had begun building. The nests, which are mounds made of sand and water, need to be located where they can stay wet as the flamingos continually build them throughout the incubation period. Keepers said it was "a sight to behold" when the birds finally began nesting and once the "most confident flamingo" decides to lay an egg the rest follow. Luke Forster from the zoo, said Caribbean flamingos were very social birds known for their "elaborate" nesting behaviours. "They build their nests in large colonies, carefully shaping the mounds to protect their eggs, which are incubated by both and male and female birds," he said. "Both genders also produce crop milk to feed the chicks once they have hatched and, in some cases, pairs of the same sex will take on the responsibility of incubating and raising a chick, even if the egg isn't theirs." When the chicks hatch they will have grey-white down and a straight beak. They develop their pink colour over a few years as they consume foods rich in the carotenoid pigments that make some plants, algae and crustaceans red, orange, pink and yellow. Listen to the best of BBC Radio Lancashire on Sounds and follow BBC Lancashire on Facebook, X and Instagram. You can also send story ideas via Whatsapp to 0808 100 2230. Blackpool-born gorilla starts new life in India Zoo's delight at birth of endangered orangutan Blackpool's tourist numbers on the rise Pelican rescued after being found 65 miles from zoo Blackpool Zoo
BBC News
9 hours ago
- Science
- BBC News
Blackpool Zoo flamingo breeding delayed by dry spring
The start of a zoo's flamingo breeding season has been delayed for the longest time on record by dry spring Zoo said it had shipped in four tonnes of sand to encourage the birds to construct their nests but it was only since the rain had returned that they had begun nests, which are mounds made of sand and water, need to be located where they can stay wet as the flamingos continually build them throughout the incubation said it was "a sight to behold" when the birds finally began nesting and once the "most confident flamingo" decides to lay an egg the rest follow. Luke Forster from the zoo, said Caribbean flamingos were very social birds known for their "elaborate" nesting behaviours."They build their nests in large colonies, carefully shaping the mounds to protect their eggs, which are incubated by both and male and female birds," he said."Both genders also produce crop milk to feed the chicks once they have hatched and, in some cases, pairs of the same sex will take on the responsibility of incubating and raising a chick, even if the egg isn't theirs."When the chicks hatch they will have grey-white down and a straight beak. They develop their pink colour over a few years as they consume foods rich in the carotenoid pigments that make some plants, algae and crustaceans red, orange, pink and yellow. Listen to the best of BBC Radio Lancashire on Sounds and follow BBC Lancashire on Facebook, X and Instagram. You can also send story ideas via Whatsapp to 0808 100 2230.
