The flamingo is one of the most popular animals for its beautiful pink color since it is very common to see its figure embodied in objects, clothes, designs, and more. And the truth is, who doesn't like these beautiful birds with a stylized pink figure with long necks and legs?
For many lovers of this species, just seeing them in photographs is not enough, because there is no comparison to admiring them in person and knowing more about them, for example, why are they pink? Where do they live? How many types are there? Among many more questions.
If you like these birds as much as we do, this article is perfect for you, we will tell you everything you need to know about them, and especially where you can visit them to enjoy an incredible experience.
Flamingos are web-footed birds of the Phenicóptera family. They are quite slender and have considerably long necks and legs, in addition to their characteristic plumage that has a combination of shades from pale pink, white to a bright pink almost red.
It is characterized by having a downward curved beak, whose upper jaw is smaller than the lower jaw. Their height can range between 120 cm and 150 cm. However, male specimens have been recorded that can reach up to 180 cm.
Despite their enormous stature, their weight is very low. Its weight ranges between 2 kg and 4 kg in grown adults. Males are usually larger than females, as are most web-footed birds.
Many Spanish-speaking people use the word flamingo to refer to these birds, without knowing the difference. In a stricter way, the correct word to designate it is flamenco, as stipulated by the Royal Academy of the Spanish Language (RAE).
Despite this, the term flamingo has been popularized in the English language and is accepted in many Spanish-speaking places. One factor that can promote this situation is that the word flamenco can generate confusion because it is the homonym of that Spanish musical and cultural expression.
In addition, in the region of Flanders in the south of Holland, the set of all spoken dialects is also known as Flamenco.
In conclusion, although the correct form is flamenco, in Mexico the word flamingo is also accepted, due to its proximity to the United States.
There are several species of flamingos, although they look alike, their characteristics develop according to the environment in which they live and their way of feeding.
Flamingo species are divided into two genera: lesser flamingos and greater flamingos.
The common flamingo receives this name because it is the one with the largest population, as well as being the largest, with the lesser flamingo being the smallest.
It should be mentioned that the common flamingo and the Caribbean flamingo are often confused, calling them both pink flamingos, however, the main difference is that the common flamingo inhabits the regions of Asia, North Africa and southern Europe and the color of its feathers is a pale pink tone.
On the other hand, the Caribbean flamingo lives in America and its plumage is brighter pink, with salmon tones.
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Flamingos that live in lakes feed mainly on mollusks, insects, and small crustaceans that they capture in the brackish waters of their habitat. Others choose to eat blue-green algae, red algae, larvae, and other species that are within their reach.
The high content of red carotenoid pigments in crustaceans is responsible for that bright pink color that characterizes this species of flamingo, in addition to some microorganisms in the water.
This is clearly seen in environments with pink or reddish landscapes, but a full article is required to discuss this topic, so if you want to know why the water in Las Coloradas is pink, we invite you to read it on our blog.
This explains why when a flamingo hatches from the egg its plumage is totally white, but with age, it turns intense pink. Also, when a flamingo is sick or not well-fed, its plumage can change color and lose intensity and then turn white.
Something that draws attention —in addition to their way of eating— is how flamingos filter water with their curved beak, this allows them to quench their thirst even if it is salty water or if the water contains mud.
The natural habitat of this curious bird is swamps, marshes, estuaries, lakes, and lagoons located in hot and humid climates.
In Mexico, you can find Caribbean flamingos in Las Coloradas, which belongs to the Ría Lagartos Biosphere Reserve and in the Ría Celestún Biosphere Reserve, as well as in Central America and in some places with a tropical climate in South America.
There is a variation of this species that lives in North and Central Africa, and another species that lives in Mediterranean Europe and the Asian variant. However, these do not have such intense pink plumage and some others have small dark pigmentations on their wings.
Flamingos are amazing animals, as some are able to live in the least expected areas, such as Lake Natron in Tanzania, one of the harshest environments on our planet, where the pH of the water reaches almost the strength of household bleach.
Speaking of friendlier environments, the Yucatan Peninsula is famous for its innumerable natural and cultural attractions, especially for its incredible landscapes and its great variety of flora and fauna.
For this reason, Las Coloradas, Yucatan is one of the most visited destinations, because you can see its pink lakes and admire the flamingos that live in the coastal lagoons.
The pink flamingo is a bird that is usually organized in flocks. These can be integrated from a few tens to hundreds or thousands of them, in fact, in areas of Africa colonies of up to a million flamingos have been registered; and they usually have a leader who is the one who decides where to go, when and where to eat.
Like many birds, it nests in a colony and lays its eggs in mounds of mud that they make themselves.
The reproduction of pink flamingos is a spectacle of nature that is worth observing and appreciating, therefore, we have listed its main peculiarities:
The care and maintenance of the young flamingo is a task carried out by the male and the female. The common pink flamingo chick requires 27 to 31 days of gestation to hatch from the egg.
Originally, the baby flamingo looks nothing like its adult version. Its plumage is white and stunted and its beak is almost straight and very short. After about 8 to 12 days the legs, neck, and beak begin to take on their permanent shape.
Another of the characteristics of the flamingo, which is worth highlighting, is that this bird is capable of producing a secretion through glands found in its digestive tract.
This liquid produced has a milk-like texture, can be excreted by both males and females, and serves as food for the chicks. For all these reasons it is known as "crop milk".
After a couple of months, the flamingo can start to fly and fend for itself. From this age, the young no longer need crop milk and is able to maintain a normal diet like any other adult specimen, which is why it begins to take on its peculiar pink color.
Pink flamingos are relatively long-lived birds. Although they do not live as long as macaws and cockatoos —about 75 years—, they can live for 40 years before dying of natural causes.
As for the predators, you will be surprised to know that they are mostly other birds such as eagles, vultures, and storks. Some felines such as the jaguar can attack them, but they rarely feed on flamingos.
The biggest danger this species faces is destruction at the hands of man. The human species are the one who has caused the greatest damage to the existence of the endemic bird of the Mexican Caribbean.
In addition to the destruction of its habitat, humans are responsible for the reduction of its population due to illegal hunting. This is because its plumage is coveted for its beauty and texture to make ornaments.
Similarly, many black market dealers can sell pink flamingos for up to $45,000 MXN for each healthy specimen.
In Mexico, there is a large number of endemic species that are in danger of extinction. The case of the pink flamingo is special because it is an exotic bird native to the north of the Yucatan Peninsula.
This bird plays a fundamental role in controlling the population of crustaceans and mollusks in the marshes of Las Coloradas. Its existence helps to maintain the natural balance of one of the richest ecosystems in a variety of life forms in the Southeast of Mexico.
Governments are aware of the great ecological impact that the extinction of the pink flamingo would have. For this reason, they have carried out actions to deal with the ecological damage in this area and thus preserve and protect endemic species, such as the pink flamingo and the sea turtle.
Among the highlights, the following can be mentioned:
According to official data from the Government of the State of Yucatan, the most outstanding achievements are:
Las Coloradas is a place with beautiful landscapes thanks to its incredible pink lagoons, it is also home to a great variety of species of flora and fauna, including the pink flamingo.
It is the perfect home for this enigmatic bird because, despite the fact that it is possible to find it in other places with a warm tropical climate, the native species of this Yucatecan port is unique in the world.
So, why not enjoy the view of this beautiful bird surrounded by the spectacular scenery that nature gives us? Also, you can take the most amazing photos for your social networks.
Las Coloradas tourist park awaits you with the best tours for flamingo sightings, learning more about the place, and learning all about the process of extracting and preparing the sea salt that reaches the tables of millions of Mexicans, Sal Sol.
If you want to know more, visit our blog with interesting articles, for example: how to get to Las Coloradas? all routes.
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