Flamingos return after a decade
After an absence of 10 years, a flock of lesser flamingos (Phoenicopterus minor) returned to Wilderness Beach and lazily walked along the stretch of sand, feeding.
The reason for their absence or return is not known and ornithologist, Richard Dean confirmed that there is no way of knowing if they would be returning next year or again disappear for another decade or two.
“These beautiful creatures have minds of their own.”
Lesser flamingos are found in the salty lakes and lagoons of Southern Africa. They are non-migratory and they live in large colonies that can contain over one million birds. This species, which can live up to the age of 50, is classified as Near Threatened (NT) as populations appear to be undergoing a moderately rapid decline.
The lesser flamingo is the smallest but most numerous species of flamingo. They weigh up to two kilograms, stand one metre tall and have a wingspan of approximately one metre.The pink colour displayed by these flamingos is due to the algae and crustaceans that contain pigments called carotenoids. For the most part, these pigments are found in the brine shrimp and blue-green algae that the birds eat. Young flamingos have grey plumage that later changes colour according to their diet.
These beautiful birds are monogamous and produce only one chalky white egg that is laid on a mud mound in shallow water. Both parents incubate the egg ,which takes 27-31 days to hatch. They will defend their nest during the breeding season, otherwise they are non-territorial.
ARTICLE: FRAN KIRSTEN, GEORGE HERALD JOURNALIST
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Source: George Herald