Flamingos & Pelicans

Both these birds are found near water in the wild but each feeds in a completely different way. The Flamingo's upside down beak filters water to extract small animals and plant life whilst the Pelican's large beak scoops up fish.

We have our very own flock of Chilean Flamingos here at the Park. Flamingos use their strangely shaped bill to draw in water and mud and then separate tiny plants and animals which it then swallows. When a flamingo chick is born, it isn’t pink at all! In fact it’s a dull grey colour. Their pigment becomes pink over time due to their diet, typically consisting of algae, shrimp and plankton. Stop by our flamingo enclosure during your next visit and see how many you can spot.

Over at the lake and weir you can also find out flock of Pink-Backed Pelicans who feed on fish, frogs and insects. They will eat up to 1 kilogram of food each day. The Pink-Backed Pelican scoops up the fish in its bill and squeezes out the water before swallowing its food. The lower part of the Pink-Backed Pelican’s bill is a leathery pouch called a gula. It is used as a fishing net and a feeding bowl for chicks.

Come and see our beautiful birds on your next visit!