At the Wildlife World Zoo, Aquarium & Safari Park in Litchfield Park, Arizona, a tiny East African Crowned Crane chick named Fiesta is growing up. Every day, her caretakers take her on “enrichment walks.” Since birds with long legs need plenty of exercise to build muscle and strengthen their legs, these walks—happening three or four times a day—help Fiesta explore her surroundings while getting stronger.
It might seem strange to see a zookeeper walking backward, but they do this to keep an eye on Fiesta during her walks. Fiesta is also on a special diet to make sure she grows properly. Each day, she gets checkups to track her weight, legs, toes, and overall appearance. The staff wants to ensure that little Fiesta thrives during this important time of growth.
When you see Fiesta during her walks, she looks like a small, delicate chick—yellow and fluffy, not very striking, and a bit awkward. But don’t be fooled by her current looks. This little “ugly duckling” will grow into a beautiful and majestic adult crane.
East African Crowned Cranes get their name from the fluffy crown of feathers on their heads. In the wild, they live in wetlands and grassy areas. Female cranes lay about four eggs each season. One clever way these birds protect their nests is by pretending to be injured to draw predators away.
Fiesta won’t be on display in her habitat for a while. Crane chicks are rare at the zoo, so everyone at the Wildlife World Zoo is dedicated to taking care of this baby. They want to make sure she has a wonderful “chickhood,” and her daily enrichment walks are a big part of that care.
Toledo, United States.