Seaview Wildlife Encounter has long been home to three different species of Flamingos (Chilean, Carribean and Lesser). This week's blog is focussing on the CHILEAN (pictured here) who haven't bred at the Park during the last three years. However, visitors to the Park, over the past few weeks, have been able to witness exciting breeding displays, mating and nest-building activity. The good news is that the Chileans are now sitting on eggs! All being well we'll be able to share their progress with you via this blog in the week's ahead.
A few points of interest about CHILEAN FLAMINGOS:
SCIENTIFIC NAME: Phoenicopterus chilensis
GEOGRAPHIC DISTRIBUTION: Peru and Uruguay to Tierra del Fuego - South America CONSERVATION STATUS: Special Concern
SUMMARY: One of the most picturesque and beautiful birds in the world.
REPRODUCTION: Flamingos breed during the months of March through to July. Nests are constructed of mud and the female lays one egg, which she and the male incubate for one month. During incubation, flamingos straddle the nest, placing their long legs either side of it. The egg is elongated, chalky white and the yolk is blood red. The chicks are born grey with a straight bill, the upper mandible has a slight hook. The young chicks are fed by their parents by regurgitation. They are agile, good at running and swimming from an early age.
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