New seven-foot-tall bronze flamingo statue unveiled at Birmingham Zoo [Photos]

Today, scores of family, friends and supporters visited the Birmingham Zoo to see the official unveiling of Flamboyant Flamingo, a seven-foot-tall, 800-pound bronze sculpture created by artist Nelson Grice.

New flamingo statue unveiled at the Birmingham Zoo

The Birmingham Zoo is home to nearly 500 animals of 165 species—and today, it added one more: a massive bronze flamingo created by local artist Nelson Grice.

“This is an exciting day for [the Birmingham Zoo.] This year is our 70th birthday, and we’re getting a great birthday present today.”

Chris Pfefferkorn, President & CEO, Birmingham Zoo

The process started several years ago, when Senator Jabo Waggoner and his wife, Marilyn, approached the Birmingham Zoo to sponsor a new sculpture by Nelson Grice. Headquartered in a studio at the Shelby County Arts Center in Columbiana, Nelson specializes in custom clay and bronze sculptures and has created several high-profile pieces in Birmingham, including:

• Miss Fancy, a 2,500-lb. bronze elephant sculpture located at Avondale Park
• Long Tall Silly, a nine-foot-tall bronze bird sculpture located in Aldridge Gardens

Weighing 800 pounds and standing seven feet tall, Flamboyant Flamingo took roughly a year and a half to complete. The cast bronze sculpture is made in Grice’s signature, whimsical style.

“When I start these animal sculptures, I like to deconstruct the sculpture in my mind and reconstruct it with the whimsical flare of a child’s imagination. You’ll notice the mechanical legs and the rivets where parts and pieces were put together. The wings are large and bulky, like the big plastic wings you might find on a toy.”

Nelson Grice

Flamboyant Flamingo is located just up the walkway from the Birmingham’s Zoo’s flamingo exhibit, and can be viewed during normal Zoo hours.

Planning to check out Flamboyant Flamingo at the Birmingham Zoo? Tag us @bhamnow to let us know!