A trio of Chilean flamingo chicks that hatched in 2018 at a zoo in Virginia were excited to hear their caretaker call for them and all went in for a hug.

The caretaker, Gretchen Morgensen, was filmed taking the three chicks for an exercise on December 2, 2018 at the Natural Bridge Zoo in central Virginia, and is a mother figure for the young birds.

She has been the care taker of the babies from day one until they are old enough to join the adult colony of flamingos at the zoological facility.

She commented: "These little gray cotton candy floof balls are very affectionate as youngsters and seek their "mom" for attention, comfort, food etc."