FEATURE L


oro Parque has recently celebrated two new births at its sumptuous South American aviaries. On this


occasion, two Scarlet Ibis chicks have brought joy to the entire team of the park with their vibrant, reddish feathers. It is the first time that this species,


original of South America, has bred in the park. The entire process has developed naturally which demonstrates that the environment created for them is optimal and that they can express their natural behaviour in the spacious, innovative aviaries, which they share with different other species of the same geographic origin. The incubation period of the Scarlet


Ibis, scientifically known as Eudocimus ruber, lasts 23 days. A chick hatches covered in black down that later develops into reddish feathers. After about a year and a half, the hatchlings obtain scarlet red plumage. The bright colour is an effect that is produced by a special pigment that the birds receive by ingesting small crustaceans, which form their principal source of nutrition. While they are still hatchlings, they


OSELY THE IBIS CHICKS wth of two greyish chicks


maintain darker feathers and look quite different from the adult specimen. This serves them as a perfect camouflage that protects them from the numerous predators. The visitors to Loro Parque are able to observe how the new hatchlings are evolving, growing and gradually developing the colourful feathers.


BIRD SCENE 25


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