The Smithsonian National Zoo recently celebrated the birth of two kori bustard chicks.

The recent hatchings helped the zoo reach a milestone as the most productive kori bustard breeding program of any zoo in the western hemisphere.

Emma (pictured left) was born on June 28 and Chasi was born on June 29. Chasi is the 40th chick to hatch at the National Zoo. The chicks are being hand-reared by staff. A feather duster acts as a mother to the chicks by providing a sense of protection.

Kori bustard are the world's heaviest flying bird and the chicks could grow to be as large as 35 pounds. The National Zoo is one of only two zoos in the U.S. that consistently breeds kori bustards, which are in decline throughout their range on the savannas of eastern and southern Africa.

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