Once hatched, baby flamingos are called chicks. The chicks look nothing like their parents. They are covered in brown or grayish feathers and their beaks are much shorter. It takes a few years for flamingo chicks to reach adulthood. The young flamingos grow quickly and molt their brown feathers multiple times. At 3 years old, they'll usually grow their distinct pink, red or orange hue in their flight feathers, while it can them up to five years in some species to grow pink in other places such as their face and legs. Their beak also takes shape to adapt to mud filtering.
How are flamingos born?
Flamingos are hatched from eggs, just like other birds. However, flamingo eggs are unique in that they are covered in a chalky white substance called guano. The guano helps to protect the eggs from the sun and from predators.