National Aviary home to adorable (not yet pink) baby flamingos

We’re used to seeing a flamingo all leggy and pink.

But a baby flamingo? They’re almost as mysterious and elusive as baby squirrels.

Finally, we can thank the National Aviary, in Pittsburgh for sharing some images of a flamingo hatchling.

This one is only four days old and check out those knees.

And here it is, strutting his – or her — stuff.

“There is no way of telling if flamingo chicks are male or female just by looking at them,” the aviary explains. “In order to determine gender, we will send feathers to a lab to have them DNA tested.”

The aviary’s American Flamingos laid eggs at the aviary from May 26 to June 9.

The first chick hatched June 25.

Oh, if you’re wondering why they aren’t pink. That’s because chicks have light grey and white feathers but change pigment around when they turn 1.

The rosy hue comes from the algae, diatoms, small fish and crustaceans the birds eat.

“They also eat aquatic insects and larvae. All of these foods have very high concentrations of carotenoid pigments, and it is these which give flamingos their bright pink coloration,” the facility says.

So by this time next year, they’ll look like this.

American Flamingo at National Aviary in Pittsburgh.

And, here’s a fun bird fact.

Did you know proportionately, flamingos are the longest neck and longest legged birds in the world?

All legs at the National Aviary in Pittsburgh.

Photos National Aviary/Facebook

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Recovering newspaper reporter.

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