EXPEDITION:   Chilean Flamingo

                                                   November, 2024 - The Houston Zoo Series

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A Flamboyance of Flamingos

As a regular camper, I have always known that pink flamingos are a must for the décor of trailer camping and "redneckin’." However, I recently discovered that flamingos also symbolize “swingers” or “wife swappers.” Since we've never been approached in that context, I think I’ll be changing my décor. It’s ironic, considering that flamingos are quite monogamous.

   
Flamingos are large wading birds that can grow up to 57 inches tall.  They are fascinating to watch as they scoop water with their beaks and use their tongues to suck and filter food from the mud and water.   The Chilean Pink Flamingo is not the largest of the six species but is a common attraction at many zoos. They exhibit shades of light and bright pink feathers, and their incessant, noisy squawking draws plenty of attention from zoo visitors.

Flamingo 216 - Houston Zoo

In the wild and at zoos, flamingos gather in large social flocks known as a "flamboyance," with numbers reaching as high as 10,000. Would  that be considered excessive flamboyance? Perhaps not, since such large flocks help ensure the survival of their offspring. Mated pairs typically lay just one egg, and if that egg is lost or damaged, they usually do not lay a replacement.

Flamingos live wild in remote and inhospitable wetlands where they can satisfy their unique diet of small crustaceans, shrimp, and algae, which is the source of their pink coloration. Interestingly, these environments have few competitors for food and fewer predators. The Chilean Flamingo is surprisingly adaptable to both warm and cold climates, as they originate from the Andes Mountains. While most flamingo species are not considered endangered, the Chilean Flamingo is regarded as “near threatened” due to declining populations caused by human egg harvesting and habitat loss.

Flamingo Art Flamingo Float