Caribbean flamingo
Phoenicopterus ruber
IUCN Red List StatusLeast Concern
Phoenicopterus ruber
Flamingos typically live in large flocks and have an average lifespan of around 30 years. Their iconic pink feathers are waterproofed by oil from a preen gland.
Flamingo young hatch white, with soft, downy feathers and a straight bill. The bill gradually curves downward as the flamingo matures. Their bent bills allow them to feed on tiny organisms. Their vibrant pink coloration develops gradually from pigments in the plants and invertebrates they consume!
In muddy flats or shallow water, they use their long legs and webbed feet to stir up the bottom, helping them locate food.
Flamingos are monogamous birds, usually laying only one egg per year, in breeding season you will see them strutting together, moving their heads from side to side, or saluting by standing still with heads raised and wings outstretched.
The drainage of Caribbean flamingo habitats and the creation of salt pans have impacted this species’ population. Habitat loss due to land reclamation for development and holiday resorts in some areas is also a threat to these flamingos, and increased tourism activities that disturb nesting sites and habitats.
