Cinereous Vulture Chick Hatches at Lincoln Park Zoo

Chicago (May 8, 2026) – A cinereous vulture chick was born at Lincoln Park Zoo yesterday, marking the first successful vulture birth at the zoo in 13 years. The chick is the offspring of Virginia and Leon, the vulture pair at Regenstein Birds of Prey.

Because Virginia and Leon are inexperienced parents who have not incubated an egg in the past, the egg was placed in an incubator through its hatching. The chick is now being cared for by Animal Care staff before leaving Lincoln Park Zoo to be raised by an experienced foster vulture at another Association of Zoos and Aquariums-accredited institution.

This transfer exemplifies the collaborative nature within the Association of Zoos and Aquariums. By working together, zoos like Lincoln Park Zoo and the chick’s new home can ensure the best possible care for the chick and the vulture population at large, providing a healthy and stable population.

“While we’d love for Chicagoans to meet this vulture chick, we’re grateful to have a dedicated zoo community and the opportunity for this chick to be raised by fosters,” said Hope B. McCormick Curator of Birds Nicole Finch-Mason. “People can still celebrate by visiting parents Virginia and Leon at Regenstein Birds of Prey and learning more about this incredible species.”

The Animal Care staff used a method called “candling” to monitor the growth of the embryo inside the egg before hatching. In this process, a light is shined on the egg in a dark space, illuminating details of the bird’s head and bill inside. Veterinary staff also worked with the care team to take radiographs of the egg, confirming that the chick was properly positioned for hatching.

Cinereous vultures have a native range spanning Southern Europe to China and Southeast Asia. They are one of the heaviest and largest birds of prey in the world, weighing up to 27 pounds on average with a wingspan of up to 10 feet. Cinereous vultures are classified as Near Threatened by the International Union for Conservation of Nature, and their populations are declining due to decreasing availability of food and direct human threats.

About Lincoln Park Zoo

Lincoln Park Zoo inspires communities to create environments where wildlife will thrive in our urbanizing world. The zoo is a leader in local and global conservation, animal care and welfare, learning, and science. A historic Chicago landmark founded in 1868, the not-for-profit Lincoln Park Zoo is a privately-managed, member-supported organization and is free and open 365 days a year. Visit us at lpzoo.org.

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