At the AnimAl PArk A distant noise startled the group of flamingos feeding in the shallow water at the edge of the small lake Suddenly all eyes were alert as the birds turned swiftly to move farther along the shore Running as fast as he could go four-week-old Chogogo raced to keep up with the long-legged adults Like the bodies of other young flamingos flamingos Chogogo’s was still covered with soft downy feathers Although these would soon be replaced with longer smooth feathers it would be several years before the young flamingo wore the elegant pink plumes of the older birds 2
Chogogo was one of 23 flamingos newly hatched at Busch Gardens a wild-animal park in Tampa Florida Each year the flock has grown as new chicks have hatched Now with more than 300 birds it is one of the largest captive flocks of Caribbean flamingos in the world Although most of the birds have grown up in captivity the flamingos live and behave much like birds in the wild At the park the flamingos are provided with shallow ponds for wading and feeding open areas for resting and an island for nest building Once a day keepers bring the flamingos flamingos food and check to make sure that all the birds are in good health 4
Flamingos are one of the most popular exhibits at the park Their brilliant feathers spindly legs snakelike necks and unusual behavior make them easy to recognize and interesting to watch No other wading bird is as tall as the flamingo and few are so brightly colored
