New Pelican Chicks Take Flight in Basel After 20 Years

BY LINNEA 11 MAY 2023

I’m thrilled to share the news that three incredible white pelican chicks have hatched at Basel Zoo.

Marking the first brood in almost two decades!

[{"selector":"#anim-c0299c84-3c84-4a10-82e8-d963b184af14","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":4000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] Learn more

I mean, look at this cutie! It is a miracle!

[{"selector":"#anim-d3b2620d-c96b-4a02-9546-d3080131dc6c","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":4000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-bd61b2d0-950b-4136-a0be-7bcada038709","keyframes":{"transform":["scale(1)","scale(1.5)","scale(0.95)","scale(1)"],"offset":[0,0.33,0.66,1]},"delay":0,"duration":3000,"easing":"ease-in-out","fill":"both","iterations":6}] Learn more

This is genuinely a slight sensation and a testament to the dedication and care provided by the zoo staff.

[{"selector":"#anim-15ee646f-a6d4-4830-a3e9-6c845e3a5d23","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":4000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] Learn more

Now, let's get to know the pelican a little better!

[{"selector":"#anim-d4657a06-24ac-4f95-ba68-47a14db8ca04","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":4000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] Learn more

Pelican chicks are born without any plumage..

[{"selector":"#anim-183ca6f9-204c-4733-99ab-a4a6a53c7d6b","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":4000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] Learn more

it’s incredible to think that they will develop their fluffy down feathers in just a few days or weeks.

[{"selector":"#anim-731fbea3-4ccf-449c-9bd7-ef6f2614045e","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":4000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] Learn more

As devoted parents, the male and female pelicans take turns incubating the eggs

[{"selector":"#anim-73e2f6cb-e549-413e-8ffe-781e530b598a","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":4000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] Learn more

and feeding the chicks pre-digested fish porridge.

[{"selector":"#anim-f2f013ae-3e5a-4221-827c-052d9cc5b774","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":4000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] Learn more

This is an exciting time for wildlife enthusiasts and the Basel community alike.

[{"selector":"#anim-0d7a40a7-e1e5-466a-8be5-526812361f7f","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":4000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] Learn more

Let’s celebrate the arrival of these new pelican chicks and look forward to watching them grow and take their first flights in the weeks to come!

[{"selector":"#anim-2f232f83-fc57-49f7-b639-2e50f4cb5229","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":4000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-5f8b448b-e648-4282-8767-5078c42c15e2","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":4000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] Learn more

[{"selector":"#anim-84c8e3a3-9e63-4b14-a565-24d1e2847add","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":4000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-b91f2725-4452-469e-b892-e075cac555b0","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":4000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] Record-Breaking Ant Colony Found Record-Breaking Ant Colony Found Wildlife Showdown: Tiger and Crocodile Clash Over Prey Wildlife Showdown: Tiger and Crocodile Clash Over Prey Learn more