DISTRIBUTION AND STATUS Range: N Caribbean (Cuba, Hispaniola, Bahamas); S Caribbean (Yukatan, N coast of South America from Colombia to French Guiana, Venezuelan islands, Bonaire); Yucatan peninsula, Galapagos Islands. Habitat: Saline lagoons; muddy, shallow lakes IUCN Status: not listed CITES: Appendix II Population in Wild: Approximately 264,500  ISIS captive population (link requires Internet Explorer) BEHAVIOR AND ECOLOGY Migration: Generally non-migratory. Those that do, migrate between summer breeding grounds and winter feeding grounds. Activity Cycle: Feeding, preening, resting, courtship; feeding is highest right before mating season. Social Groups: huge colonies; must be in large groups to breed. Diet: filter invertebrates, algae, and plant material out of shallow water and mud Predators: Racoons, marguay, jaguar, humans, birds of prey.

 

REPRODUCTION AND DEVELOPMENT Sexual Maturity: 3-6 years Courtship: Group breeding displays lead to synchronous breeding; monogamous pairing for several seasons. Clutch Size: 1 egg Nest: Cone-shaped mound of mud with scooped out top; shallow moat excavated around nest. Hatchlings: Leave nest after 5-8 days; form creches- large numbers of chicks cared for by a small number of adults Fledging: 9-13 weeks. Longevity: unknown in the wild; have lived 40-60 years in captivity. SPECIES HIGHLIGHTS Feature Facts: Oldest cave painting of flamingo dated at 5000 BC, from Spain. Egyptian hieroglyphic symbol of flamingo denotes the color red. Historically confused with the legendary Phoenix. The tongue was considered a delicacy in Roman times. Society Press: 1932- San Diego Zoo obtains first Caribbean flamingos; 1957- First Caribbean Flamingo hatches at the zoo; April 2003- newly renovated Flamingo Lagoon opens; flamingos start building nest within days.

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