ORLANDO, Fla. – The next time you visit the tropical shores and reefs of Discovery Cove, look for a small and adorable new addition.
The park is currently caring for a new Caribbean flamingo named Tiki.
The small flamingo hatched last year and instantly became an overnight sensation on Discovery Cove’s social media sites. The animal park allowed park guests and the public the opportunity to pick a name for the newborn chick. This summer, Tiki will reach another major milestone when she turns one.
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“She has a following on social media,” said Jennifer O’Neill, Discovery Cove aviculturist. “She is adorable! She is a lot lighter in color compared to the other flamingos we have here. Her coloration is going to be a lot lighter for the next year or two, and then she will be a full-fledged flamingo.”
Over the last several months, Tiki’s brighter colors have slowly started to emerge from the white color she was born with. Leaders said she is currently learning what it takes to live in the flamboyance, the group of flamingos.
During the months of March and April, Discovery Cove said Caribbean flamingos will head into breeding season. During those months, guests might see pairs of flamingos marching, dancing and flagging each other, which is one of the first breeding behaviors they start to display.
“This is going to be our third breeding year. Tiki was our first chick to hatch here at Discovery Cove - so we’ll see what happens this year,” O’Neil said.
Guests can get up close to Tiki and the entire flamboyance during Discovery Cove’s morning event, the Flamingo Mingle.
The separately ticketed activity gives guests the intimate opportunity to meet, mingle, take photos and even feed a group of flamingos up close along the sandy shores of the Grand Reef. It also allows families the chance to ask questions answered from some of the park’s knowledgeable aviculturists.
Another opportunity to see Tiki and the other flamingos is during the Flamingo Walk. During one specific part of the day, the flamboyance will take a stroll to the water’s edge where they will gather and explore for a limited time.
Discovery Cove offers a number of other experiences including a one-of-a-kind opportunity to swim with dolphins, snorkel among thousands of tropical fish and rays in The Grand Reef, hand-feed hundreds of exotic birds in Explorer’s Aviary and so much more.
Guests can follow Tiki’s story by visiting Discovery Cove’s social media channels on Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok.
Florida residents can visit Discovery Cove and save up to 20% on admission, which includes food and drinks.
Click here if you would like to learn more.
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