Flock to the JMZ - A New Baby Flamingo Has Hatched!

July 21, 2026



Dear Friends,

Exactly one year after Rio was born to JMZ's flamingo flock, the proud parents Ruby & Sal welcomed their second chick! When hatching Rio became a real possibility last year, it was a surprise for everyone at the JMZ since incubating an egg in captivity typically requires at least 40 flamingos. That the JMZ’s dedicated zoo team repeated this remarkable feat with a flock of only six adults is a true testament to their passion and care for the JMZ's resident animals.

The zoo team invested tremendous care into this hatching, providing careful oversight throughout the process, even creating practice eggs for the other bonded pairs to keep them occupied. We also extend our deepest appreciation to JMZ Volunteer Pat Grange, who kept watch for the entire hatching process.

Read on for an inside look at how this hatching unfolded, why this small flock continues to defy expectations, and what to look for on your next visit to the JMZ. I hope you'll also Sponsor An Animal — including the flamingo flock — so you can be part of the reason the JMZ's animals are happy, healthy, and thriving.

Warmly,

Lauren Angelo 

President, Friends of the Palo Alto Junior Museum & Zoo

After a hatching process that can take up to 36 hours, a flamingo chick was born on June 22nd and has been growing stronger every day. Caring for the new arrival has been a true flock effort with uncles Yogi & Phoenix and aunt and uncle Floreana & Trinidad supporting parents Ruby & Sal and their growing family

Listen closely and you can hear a chick peeping inside the egg!

Video Credit: Lee Harper

Much of this success traces back to a nest. Last year, Yogi & Phoenix, a male bonded-pair known as “super builders", built a nest that was larger and taller than the average nest that female-male bonded-pairs typically make. When the female-male bonded-pair, Ruby & Sal, needed a place to lay their egg, Yogi & Phoenix generously gave their impressive nest to the pair and started fresh. The sturdy nest gifted to Ruby & Sal is part of the reason the small flock at the JMZ was able to successfully hatch Rio since his egg stayed safe and secure throughout the process.

Watch the flamingo chick working hard to climb to the top of the nest.

Video Credit: Lee Harper

This year, when the time came for Ruby & Sal to lay another egg, they returned to the nest Yogi & Phoenix gifted to them and built upon it, making it even more remarkable. Yogi & Phoenix followed suit, improving on their nest from last year while the other female-male bonded-pair, Floreana & Trinidad, got to work on one of their own.

After Ruby & Sal laid their egg, Yogi & Phoenix and Floreana & Trinidad received practice eggs of their own. This step was helpful to ensure the survival of the new chick since the practice eggs occupied the bonded-pairs, allowing Ruby & Sal to focus entirely on their egg and chick. This has created a calm and peaceful environment across the flock as the other pairs are content in tending to their practice eggs. 

The flamingo chick is ready for its close-up!

Photo Credit: Lee Harper

While both Ruby & Sal have shined as second-time parents, Sal has been particularly devoted. During and immediately after the hatching process, he rarely left the egg or hatchling's side — so much so that after a few days, Ruby had to nudge him out of the way for her turn. Big brother Rio, who hatched at the JMZ in June 2025, has also taken a keen interest in his new sibling, hovering close and keeping a watchful eye.

Doting dad Sal keeps his chick warm and snug.

Photo Credit: John Warren

On your next visit, keep an eye out for the chick tugging on mom and dad's tail feathers or pinching their legs, which is its way of asking to be fed. When Ruby or Sal are ready to feed, they'll shake their head and drip crop milk from their beak to the baby's. You might be surprised to learn that crop milk is bright red rather than white, and that both parents are equally capable of producing it. Sal takes his responsibility extra seriously, attending to baby’s every coo, making it fitting that this little one arrived the day after Father’s Day!

Time flies! The chick is growing quickly - its bubblegum pink legs have lengthened and turned dark grey which is nature’s way of shielding chicks from danger.

Photo Credit: Lee Harper

We know you're wondering — is the chick a boy or a girl, and what is its name? We hope to share those answers in a few months, after the chick's first veterinary visit. In the meantime, vote in our poll to guess the chick’s gender and we hope you'll enjoy watching the newest member of the flock settle into their family — bonding with Ruby & Sal, big brother Rio, the rest of the flock, and beloved Zoo Ambassador for the Friends, Lee Harper.

Zoo Ambassador for the Friends, Lee, and the chick have already developed a special bond.

Photo Credit: Marlon Kasberg