Gertrude the Flamingo, living nearly twice the average lifespan in the wild, surprises everyone by laying her first egg with a mate 33 years younger.
After spending most of her life single, 70-year-old Gertrude the Flamingo has finally laid her first egg, as reported by IFL Science on May 30. The bird is part of a flock of 62 flamingos residing in the Pensthorpe Nature Reserve in Norfolk, England.
Gertrude the Flamingo lays her first egg at age 70. (Photo: Claudia Gooch/Pensthorpe)
Unlike most of her peers, Gertrude struggled to find a mate. “Throughout her life, Gertrude has been quite shy and often kept to herself at the back of the group. But suddenly, this year she found a new confidence and started courting all the males,” said Ben Marshall, the executive director of the reserve.
Eventually, Gertrude settled down with Gil, a flamingo 33 years her junior. Their age difference doesn’t seem to hinder their relationship, as after a period of courtship, Gertrude laid her first egg.
This is a dual achievement for Gertrude. In the wild, flamingos typically live around 30 to 40 years, and it is rare to lay eggs at such an advanced age. “The average lifespan of a flamingo is around 35 years. So, it’s miraculous that she is still with us. It’s a testament to the hard work of the entire team: Gertrude is not only healthy and happy but has also found love at this age,” Marshall remarked.
However, Gertrude’s egg is unlikely to hatch into a chick, which means she won’t become a mother this year. Marshall noted that laying an egg is still a remarkable achievement. “Demonstrating maternal instincts at this age is still wonderful. I’m sure Gertrude will continue to be a joyful aunt to the flock of flamingos,” he said.
The Flamingo Family (Phoenicopteridae) consists of six species of wading birds that live in flocks. They are characterized by their distinctive pink feathers, thick downward-curved beaks, long slender legs, long necks, large wings, and short tails. They typically stand about 90 to 150 cm tall. To feed, flamingos wade in shallow waters, lowering their heads and dipping their beaks underwater, stirring up organic materials with their webbed feet. They eat a variety of foods including algae, mollusks, and crustaceans.
