Page 17 - Gateways_Fall_2022_flip_Neat

Raising Guam
Kingfisher Chicks

Hand-rearing an animal can be necessary for the conserva-
tion of an endangered species. Before the Guam kingfisher
completely disappeared from its native habitat, the last
29 birds were brought to AZA-accredited institutions
and entered in a breeding program, which Brookfield
Zoo has participated in since 1988. Thanks to the
breeding program, there are 146 individuals in zoos today.
Kingfishers only raise one or two chicks a year, so each
one is precious.
Parenting is challenging for many first-time human
parents; the same is true for parents of other species.
“Most animals have to learn how to be parents, and
in the process, you’re going to lose some offspring,”
said Tim Snyder, vice president of Animal Care for
the Chicago Zoological Society. For example, kingfisher
parents may need five to seven days to master the feeding
of a chick. In the meantime, one or more chicks can be lost.
“We don’t want to lose those chicks because we need those
birds to be in the population,” said Snyder.
“We make sure the first couple of chicks survive by
assisting them in the nest.” The Bird department staff
monitor each chick, particularly its weight. If a chick’s
weight drops or remains the same, staff members feed it.
“We’re not hand-rearing them, but we’re helping the parents
learn to be parents—we’re kind of being the grandparents.”
Staff also step in when two eggs in a clutch both hatch.
Kingfishers raise only one chick at a time. The second chick
will usually die from either parental neglect or harassment
by a stronger sibling. “We’ll take the second egg that was
laid and we’ll hand-raise that one,” said Snyder. “Sometimes
the two chicks are switched out every couple of days so
both chicks benefit from being with the parents. We found
it didn’t make any difference in breeding success.”
Humboldt penguin chicks can also require hand-rearing
by the Bird department staff. In the wild, the birds typically
care for their chicks until they are about 70 to 90 days old.
The adults then swim off to sea and leave their young
to fend for themselves. In their habitat at THE LIVING
COAST, Humboldt penguin parents can’t swim away
from their chicks so parenthood is prolonged. To mimic
the natural cycle and improve the health and welfare
of the birds, animal care staff take over chick-feeding
responsibilities when chicks reach a certain weight. (From top): A Guam kingfisher chick receives nourishment from
This also allows staff to better monitor chicks' food intake. a Bird department staff member, who also monitors its weight;
an adult bird

BROOKFIELD ZOO | FALL 2022 17