Rare Dalmatian Pelicans Hatch at San Diego Zoo

A pair of rare Dalmatian pelican chicks recently hatched at the San Diego Zoo, and will be cared for by zoo staff until they are well enough to rejoin their flock.

The newbies, aged two and 11 days old, were taken to the San Diego Zoo Avian Propagation Center after it was determined that their parents were unable to raise them for unknown reasons.

For now, these not-so-adorable chicks will be hand-raised by animal care staff from the Avian Propagation Center for about two months, wrote the San Diego Zoo blog. That is, until they are strong enough to return to their flock at the zoo's Safari Park.

And for Dalmatian pelicans, that may come sooner than later. These birds are known to grow fast, and in just a few weeks will ditch their ugly, bald, wrinkly look for beautiful plush downy feathers instead. They'll be fully grown in about 6 to 7 months.

Dalmatian pelicans are not only the rarest of all pelicans, but also the largest. As adults, they can reach about 6 feet in length with a wingspan of nearly 12 feet, and weigh a whopping 30 pounds or more. (Scroll to read on...)