Same-Sex Flamingo Couple Successfully Hatches One of a U.K. Zoo's First Chicks Since 2018

Mar. 15, 2025

Chilean flamingoes Curtis and Arthur are proving to be perfect parents.

He added that numerous bird species have same-sex couplings and that the zoo’s bird curators weren’t surprised to see Curtis and Arthur take up parenting.

Chilean flamingos Curtis and Arthur with their chick.Paignton Zoo

Paignton Zoo

“The bird department aren’t surprised that the same-sex pair have successfully hatched an egg and are now rearing a chick, but for other departments it has been a bit of a surprise,” Smallbones said.

The couple’s chick is one of several Chilean flamingoes to hatch at the zoo this season. AP noted that this is the first time Paignton Zoo has successfully hatched Chilean flamingo chicks through its breeding program for the declining species since 2018.

Curtis and Arthur are part of a group of Chilean flamingos who arrived at the zoo earlier this year. The zoo created the Love Lagoon initiative, designed as a fun tribute to the reality showLove Island, to help name the new flamingos. For Love Lagoon, the public named the new adult birds and then watched the flamingos pair off as they settled in at Paignton Zoo.

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“The whole zoo is pleased to have flamingo chicks back on the lagoon. They can’t fail to brighten up your day when you catch a glimpse of them.” Smallbones addThe Guardian.

source: people.com