CHICAGO (WBBM NEWSRADIO) -- Lincoln Park Zoo announced Thursday that it is seeking the public's help in naming the recently hatched African spoonbill chick.
According to the zoo, the African spoonbill chick hatched to pair adult spoonbills Luke and Annabelle on Jan. 22 as part of the African Spoonbill Species Survival Plan. The chick is doing well and continues to surpass critical milestones. The sex has yet to be determined.
Lincoln Park Zoo members had the unique opportunity to submit names for the chick. After careful thought and consideration, the top five names were chosen by the Animal Care staff:
Lincoln Park Zoo members had the unique opportunity to submit names for the chick. After careful thought and consideration, the top five names were chosen by the Animal Care staff:
• Kijiko, the translation of “spoon” in Swahili
• Lukabelle, a combination of parents Luke and Annabelle
• Alba, for the spoonbill Latin name, Platalea alba
• River, for the spoonbill's native river habitat and Spoon River in Illinois
• Kazinga, for the Kazinga Channel in Uganda where spoonbills can be found
The public can cast their vote for their favorite name on the zoo’s website at lpzoo.org/spoonbill. Voting will close at midnight on Feb. 24.
“African spoonbill chicks grow quite fast, with the chick becoming full grown and ready to leave the nest in about just six weeks,” said Curator of Mammals Mike Murray. “It’s been extraordinary watching the chick grow and pass critical milestones."
The new addition is Luke and Annabelle’s second offspring. Their first offspring, Lucia, hatched last June and was a welcome addition amidst the uncertainty of the COVID-19 pandemic, the zoo said in a statement.
This African spoonbill has white plumage, a featherless red face, and long red legs. Their elongated beak ends in a flat, extended bulge resembling a spoon, which helps with capturing fish, crustaceans, and insects. African spoonbills are widespread across sub-Saharan Africa.
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Lincoln Park Zoo is temporarily closed to the public until March 4.