tcvast.blogg.se - Blue flamingo

The percentage of birds that travel east or west seems to depend on the direction of the prevailing winds in the birds' first autumn.

Most flamingos that leave the colony go either southwest to winter in Spain, or southeast to winter in Tunisia and Turkey.

The movements of the greater flamingo population living in Carmarque in southern France have been closely monitored since 1977. When traveling during the day, the flamingos fly at high altitudes, possibly to avoid predation by eagles. They can travel approximately 600 km (373 miles) in one night at about 50 to 60 kph (31-37 mph). They prefer to fly with a cloudless sky and favorable tailwinds.

When flamingos migrate, they do so mainly at night.

However, some may join a neighboring colony.

Most flamingos that migrate will return to their native colony to breed.

Drought conditions may force some flamingo populations to relocate.

When water levels rise, birds may search for more favorable sites.

Populations that breed in high-altitude lakes, which may freeze over in the winter, move to warmer areas.However, due to changes in the climate and water levels in their breeding areas, flamingo colonies are not always permanent. Other flamingo species are not affected because of different food sources.įlamingos are generally non-migratory birds. The introduction of fish to some lakes may seriously affect the distribution of the Chilean flamingo as well as the greater and Caribbean flamingos, since they all feed primarily on invertebrates.It is present, usually in large numbers, where there are no fish with which to compete for food. The Chilean flamingo is scarce or absent in lakes with fish.The presence or absence of fish may have a great influence on the use of lakes by some flamingos. Lakes may be far inland or near the sea.Ī variety of habitats are used by flamingos: mangrove swamps, tidal flats, and sandy islands in the intertidal zone. The flamingo's most characteristic habitats are large alkaline or saline lakes or estuarine lagoons that usually lack vegetation. Limited numbers of this species can be found over much of northern Europe and eastward to Siberia. Populations are found in northwest India, the Middle East, the western Mediterranean, and Africa. The greater flamingo has the most widespread distribution of all flamingo species. The Caribbean flamingo is found throughout the Caribbean ( Cuba, the Bahamas, the Yucatan, Turks and Caicos), the Galapagos Islands, and the northern part of coastal South America. They are found in southern Peru, northeastern Chile, western Bolivia, and northwestern Argentina.Īndean flamingos are found in southern Peru, north-central Chile, western Bolivia, and northwestern Argentina. The James' flamingo has the most restricted range of all flamingo species.

Stragglers can be found as far north as southern Spain. In addition, a sizable population nests in India. Populations are found in eastern, southwestern, and western Africa. The lesser flamingo is primarily an African species.

Stragglers have been reported on the Falkland Islands and Ecuador. Populations of Chilean flamingos are found in central Peru, both coasts of southern South America (mainly in the winter), Argentina, Uruguay, Paraguay, Peru, Bolivia, and southern Brazil. All flamingos are found in tropical and subtropical areas.