Hatch of the day: Meet Lincoln Park Zoo’s adorable Jambu fruit dove duo

Lincoln Park Zoo is now home to two new Jambu fruit doves who were born by the same parents and hatched earlier this year in May and October. According to a press release by the zoo, the hatching of these two adorable feathered friends marks the first time that Lincoln Park Zoo has successfully hand-reared this species—a laborious process that requires world-class care, including having staff administer food and hydration to the chicks solely based on behaviorial and physical cues. 

“While our first hope is to see parents caring for their offspring, that isn’t always the case and it’s important to have contingency plans in place,” Hope B. McCormick Curator of Birds Nicole Finch-Mason said in a press release. “It takes a special team to provide around-the-clock care for chicks like these two Jambu fruit doves, and I’m proud to say that we were able to successfully save their lives through hand-rearing.”

Both of these human-raised chicks were born as part of the Jambu Fruit Dove Species Survival Plan, a collaborative population management effort among the Association of Zoos and Aquariums institutions; but while one chick has been reintroduced to the flock at the zoo after its hand-rearing, the other is still being cared for behind the scenes until it reaches the appropriate size and strength. The sex of both birds has yet to be determined at this time.

According to the Lincoln Park Zoo’s press release, the Jambu Fruit Dove Species Survival Plan’s goal is to maintain healthy populations of the birds across accredited zoos, since the species—which are native in Southeast Asia—currently face the threat of deforestation in Indonesia and Malaysia. 

These beautiful birds boast several distinct colors that also make them prey to illegal pet trade. Bird watchers can spot a Jambu fruit dove by the green markings on their back and wings, and an orange or yellow beak. Male doves develop a crimson face and white chest while the females showcase a light purple face and green chest. 

Visit the Lincoln Park Zoo to learn more about the Jambu fruit doves.