Description of the caribbean flamingo
The Caribbean Flamingo (Phoenicopterus ruber) is a species of bird belonging to the Phoenicopteridae family. It is found in the Caribbean, northern South America and northwest Africa. It is a large bird, measuring on average between 3.5 and 5 feet in height, with a wingspan of up to 5.5 feet. It weighs about 4.5 to 9 pounds. Its characteristic color is bright pink, which is due to the presence of pigments in the algae and crustaceans it consumes. The Caribbean Flamingo has a long and thin beak, curved downwards at the end, which serves to filter food in the water. Its legs are long and slender, with webbed toes that allow it to swim and walk on muddy grounds. Its wing feathers are black, with pink markings on the tips, and its eyes are surrounded by bare, pink skin. It lives in colonies in marshes, lagoons and shallow lagoons, where it feeds on small crustaceans, mollusks, worms and algae. It usually breeds in groups, building cone-shaped nests from mud and plant debris. Females lay a single egg per breeding season. Caribbean Flamingos are protected under international wildlife laws and are classified as a species of least concern by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).
When to see them?
The Galapagos flamingo can be observed all year round on Santa Cruz, Isabela, Floreana and Santiago islands. However, it is more easily observed during the dry season from June to December, when the water levels in the lagoons and marshes are lower and the birds are more concentrated.
Where to observe them?
The best islands to observe the Galapagos Flamingo are Santa Cruz, Isabela, Floreana and Santiago. The most popular areas to see these birds are the lagoons and marshes where they feed and breed. Here are some places where you can observe them:
- El Junco Lagoon (San Cristobal Island): This is the largest freshwater lagoon in the Galapagos Islands and an important breeding ground for Galapagos Flamingos. It is possible to see colonies of flamingos around the shallow waters of the lagoon.
- Flamingo Lagoon (Isabela Island): Located on the west coast of Isabela Island, this shallow lagoon is another important breeding ground for Galapagos flamingos. The birds can be seen filtering the water with their characteristic beaks to feed on algae and small crustaceans.
- Laguna de la Playa (Santiago Island): This small, shallow lagoon is located in the north of Santiago Island and is a breeding ground for Galapagos Flamingos. The birds can be seen nesting and feeding in the lagoon.