Pink Flamingo

Pink Flamingo

The Flamingo as the top bird on most Bird Watchers' list

 

East Africa, compromising of Uganda, Kenya and Tanzania, Ethiopia and Rwanda is lucky to boast of an amazing variety of birds, thanks in part to the moderate climate devoid of extremes.

 

The Flamingo, like most water birds, lingers along the shallow shoreline of lakes, temporary and delights many a bird watcher, owing in part to  its size  and ability to live out in the open,which lends it  easy to spot

Habitat
Out of a world population of about 4 million flamingos, an estimated 95 % reside in East Africa.   They live in a habitat of saline water, favouring East Africa's Rift Valley lakes of Nakuru and Baringo in Kenya, as well as Manyara and Natron in Tanzania. Small populations also exists in lake Abiata in Ethiopia

Physical appearance
There are two types of flamingos, the greater and lesser flamingos. The difference in the two might not be apparent to the casual observer, but the greater flamingo is considerably larger and has a whiter plumage. The majority of flamingos in East Africa are of the lesser species.  The Lesser Flamingos' beaks are S shaped and pink in colour, while the legs are straight and webbed to facilitate wading in water. Living in large groups, ( Up to one million birds have been known to gather in Kenya's rift Valley), The birds are characterised by pink plumage, which is especially thick on the underside of the feathers and is gracefully exposed during flight.  The huge flocks tend to appear like a large pink carpet on the lake. Young flamingos are however more grey than pink - they turn full pink at sexual maturity. You are then likely to see them in courtship displays that look like mock fights. v

Diet

Flamingos are said to be filter feeders: They feed on microscopic blue green algae plants that only thrive in saline waters. These plants are suspended in water and to extract a meal they swallow large volumes of water, which is filtered by the beak through specialised anatomical devices.

 

Breeding

Incubation of eggs takes about 3 weeks, after which the mothers fly back to their preferred habitat. About a week later, the hatchlings usually follow their mothers northwards. In East Africa, Lake Natron on the Kenya-Tanzania border is the principal breeding ground of East Africa's flamingos. The reason for this preference has yet to be established  but the lake's ecological stability and minimal human disturbance is likely to be a factor. Due to its remoteness in location, it has recorded little change in soil chemistry - a critical factor in nest formation.

Visitors on a Kenya safari or Tanzania safari are likely to come across the Flamingo, as Lake Nakuru and Lake Manyara are very popular safari destinations.  Safaris to Lake Baringo and Lake Natron can also be organized, as a selection of Africa accommodation exists in both areas.

About the Author

Caroline is a product Develoment manager with Dream of Africa Safaris and has travelled extensively within  Africa.Dream of Africa Safaris offers highly personalized Africa safaris, Africa accommodation, car hire as well as other travel related services in some leading African destinations

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Pink Flamingos Trailer