Chilean Flamingos: a few facts about their breeding habits

- Reach sexual maturity at 6 years of age.
- Usually form new pairs each season.
- Breeding adults build nests by forming mounds of mud measuring approx 15 inches in diameter, 1-2 feet high - being elevated helps protect nest from heat and flooding at ground level. Indentation is made on top of mound where female lays one chalky white egg.
- Both parents incubate the egg for approximately 28 - 30 days.
- On hatching the chick is covered with grey down. Its bill is initially straight to allow parents to feed by regurgitation; it curves after a few months.
- It takes approximately 2 years for the chick to grow into its adult plumage.