Prague Zoo celebrates historic first with rare baby parrot

Prague Zoo is celebrating a historic arrival after successfully breeding an orange-breasted lorikeet, a tiny tropical parrot that has never before been raised in a Czech zoo.

The male chick hatched on May 27 and is now more than four months old. The achievement is particularly significant because the species is notoriously difficult to breed in captivity, with only three other institutions in Europe currently keeping it.

According to zoopraha.cz, the chick is developing well despite being raised by a pair of first-time parents, whose unexpectedly successful care has impressed zookeepers.

Orange-breasted lorikeets are native to New Guinea and nearby islands, where they inhabit tropical forests and feed largely on fruit, particularly figs. Their unusual diet has earned them the nickname "fig parrots."

Measuring approximately 13 centimeters (5 inches) and weighing just 28 to 35 grams, the birds are among the smallest parrots kept at Prague Zoo.

Breeding them requires carefully controlled conditions, including high standards of cleanliness and food quality. Even small mistakes in their care can have serious consequences, making successful reproduction particularly challenging.

The chick's parents surprised their keepers by building a suitable nest, producing a fertile egg, and successfully raising their offspring without human intervention.

"The parent pair surprised us several times," bird curator Antonín Vaidl said in comments reported by prazskypatriot.cz.

The youngster's sex has become increasingly apparent as an orange patch develops across its chest, a distinctive feature of males.

The successful breeding marks another milestone for Prague Zoo, which has spent decades developing expertise in caring for lorikeets.

The zoo began breeding red-bearded lorikeets in 1997 and has since raised more than 50 chicks. It also began successfully breeding yellow-bibbed lorikeets in 2022.

The orange-breasted lorikeet presented a different challenge. Prague Zoo acquired the species from Germany's Walsrode bird park in 2018, meaning the first successful breeding came after approximately eight years of effort.

The zoo now ranks among Europe's leading institutions for keeping these small parrots, according to specialist bird publication ararauna.cz

Visitors hoping to see the newest arrival will have to wait. The chick currently lives in a behind-the-scenes breeding area of the Indonesian Jungle pavilion, where keepers maintain the tropical conditions it needs.

Other lorikeets can be seen in the zoo's Rákos Pavilion and along the Parrot Trail, giving visitors an opportunity to observe some of their colorful relatives while the rare youngster continues to grow.