Floreana Island
The Galápagos Islands never cease to marvel us with extraordinary sightings. Today was not an exception. A couple of flamingo chicks, casually strolling along the green beach at Punta Cormorant, were the stars of the day. One of the two was particularly quaint, as still very young. This beautiful bird has been one of the most photographed critters I have seen this year! The flamingo chick was extremely cooperative with its observers. Showing genuine curiosity, the inquisitive little bird slowly and gracefully approached its stunned observers. For my colleagues and me, this spectacular sighting was a first ever. Some of us have been around the islands for many years and we have never had the chance to observe a flamingo of that tender age at such close range. My heart was beating fast the moment I had the bird just few inches away. When you love the natural world, special moments like these are both very touching and unforgettable.
The total population of flamingos in Galápagos is estimated at around 600 individuals. This colourful and beloved bird is a subspecies, often treated as race, of the greater flamingo (Phoenicapterus ruber). In the Galápagos, flamingos breed during the hot season; they lay a single large egg that hatches in about a month. The parents feed the young for a few weeks. The beaks of the flamingo chicks do not have the characteristic shape of the adult ones. The straight chick beak only takes on the curved “flamingo beak” appearance on reaching some three weeks of age. The small population of flamingos in Galápagos makes them a vulnerable species that needs special protection. This important conservation consideration together with their intrinsic beauty can help you to understand my excitement while sharing with you the great sighting we had today. A brand new flamingo in Galápagos!
The Galápagos Islands never cease to marvel us with extraordinary sightings. Today was not an exception. A couple of flamingo chicks, casually strolling along the green beach at Punta Cormorant, were the stars of the day. One of the two was particularly quaint, as still very young. This beautiful bird has been one of the most photographed critters I have seen this year! The flamingo chick was extremely cooperative with its observers. Showing genuine curiosity, the inquisitive little bird slowly and gracefully approached its stunned observers. For my colleagues and me, this spectacular sighting was a first ever. Some of us have been around the islands for many years and we have never had the chance to observe a flamingo of that tender age at such close range. My heart was beating fast the moment I had the bird just few inches away. When you love the natural world, special moments like these are both very touching and unforgettable.
The total population of flamingos in Galápagos is estimated at around 600 individuals. This colourful and beloved bird is a subspecies, often treated as race, of the greater flamingo (Phoenicapterus ruber). In the Galápagos, flamingos breed during the hot season; they lay a single large egg that hatches in about a month. The parents feed the young for a few weeks. The beaks of the flamingo chicks do not have the characteristic shape of the adult ones. The straight chick beak only takes on the curved “flamingo beak” appearance on reaching some three weeks of age. The small population of flamingos in Galápagos makes them a vulnerable species that needs special protection. This important conservation consideration together with their intrinsic beauty can help you to understand my excitement while sharing with you the great sighting we had today. A brand new flamingo in Galápagos!
