A flamingo named Gertrude, known for being "unlucky in love", has laid her first egg at the age of 70 at Pensthorpe Nature Reserve near Fakenham, Norfolk.
This is a rare event as flamingos typically live around 40 years. Gertrude is part of a group of more than 65 flamingos at the reserve. Many of the birds are currently sitting on their nests, waiting for their eggs to hatch.
Ben Marshall, the reserve's managing director, expressed his astonishment to the BBC, saying, "Flamingos might live 40 years and Gertrude is 70, so [at] that ripe old age to be able to display [maternal] characteristics is amazing."
Marshall described Gertrude as being "unlucky in love", but noted that her egg was an "incredible sight to see."
He explained, "It's her first time of laying an egg... it probably won't hatch, but for her to be able to display those natural characteristics and to have the enrichment of going through that - it's amazing."
Although Gertrude's egg is not fertile, Marshall highlighted the upcoming arrivals of flamingo chicks or flaminglets.
"Whilst Gertrude won't have an egg to hatch this year, lots of our other flamingos are due to hatch their flaminglets in a few weeks. We know that Gertrude is very protective of the young in the flock and will make a great aunt and babysitter of the impending young!" he added.
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