Montgomery Zoo introduces baby ostrich flock

The Montgomery Zoo has announced the public debut of four young ostrich chicks.

The chicks are named Navy, Chickpea, Lima and Green Bean. The “beans,” as they are called, hatched in June in Georgia and were brought to the zoo in September. The ostrich chicks have spent the past several months behind the scenes completing their quarantine period and settling into their new home.

Now that they have made their debut, visitors have enjoyed seeing their curiosity, energy and unmistakable personalities. Over the coming weeks, they will begin a gradual introduction to Gisele, the zoo’s adult female ostrich, as they continue to grow and gain confidence.

The zoo says the young ostriches inspect everything in their environment, keepers included, often pecking at glasses, tattoos and anything shiny within reach. One of their favorite morning rituals is performing energetic “spins,” a behavior that has quickly become a staff favorite.

“The past few months I’ve gotten to know each of the beans and fallen in love with their personalities,” Zookeeper Paige Morris said. “I’m grateful we’re expanding Gisele’s flock after the loss of her sister, Heidi. Everyone is looking forward to watching them all go out and do their morning spins and dances together.”

Over the summer, the Zoo experienced the loss of one of its two adult female ostriches, Heidi, who had lived alongside her sister, Gisele, since they arrived at the Montgomery Zoo together in 2014. Welcoming these four chicks helps expand the flock and provide Gisele with much‑needed companionship, the zoo says.

Guests can visit Navy, Chickpea, Lima and Green Bean in the Africa section of the zoo. Their schedule may vary based on weather and animal care needs, so visitors are encouraged to call ahead for daily updates.