Two Critically Endangered Chicks Hatch at Audubon Zoo

Audubon Zoo is celebrating the hatching of two critically endangered birds. Two Blue Crowned Laughingthrush chicks recently hatched in the zoo’s Wings of the World exhibit.

These two chicks are extremely important to the survival of the species. There are less than 300 of these beautiful birds living in the wild. Their survival will depend on breeding efforts worldwide efforts to increase their numbers.

The chicks are the first successful hatching of these species at Wings of the World and are a major accomplishment for Audubon Zoo’s Bird Department. Audubon Zoo is one of more than 60 zoos across the U.S., Asia and Europe working together as part of a Global Species Management Plan to save these birds from extinction.

“These chicks are a true example of zoos holding the line against extinction,” said Dr. Steven Whitfield, Audubon Nature Institute’s Director of Terrestrial and Wetlands Conservation. “There are approximately 110 of the birds in human care across the U.S. and we hope to continue adding to those numbers to ensure genetic diversity of this species.”

Blue Crowned Laughingthrush are native to only one small part of China, they are small and secretive birds that typically eat seeds, fruits, berries and small insects. Their calls sound similar to laughter, and they are often trapped for their songs and for the international pet trade.

“The chicks are a major victory for this species,” said Mike Houlihan, Audubon Zoo’s Curator of Birds. “Our team knows the importance of every offspring and worked together give these chicks their best chance at survival. They are now thriving, and we hope to have additional chicks in the future.”

DNA tests show one chick is female and the other is male. They are now with their parents in the Wings of the World exhibit at Audubon Zoo. Their care team expects the family to remain together for at least one year.

“When chicks are this valuable to the survival of a species, we may need to send them to other locations to increase the genetic diversity of the birds in human care,” said Wendy Zolinski, Assistant Curator of Birds at Audubon Zoo.  “There are so few of these birds left, having successful hatchings in the future can make a critical impact.”

The Wings of the World has several highly endangered species on exhibit in addition to the Blue Crowned Laughingthrush. Guests can see a pair of the critically endangered Bali Mynah, and a pair of Guam Kingfisher which are extinct in the wild. Wings of the World opened last year and is free with Audubon Zoo admission.