GM Frens

Pink (Greater) Flamingos in Namibia

There are two species of flamingo, the less (herbivorous) and the great (carnivorous).
FEEDING: Flamingos feed on tiny organisms, both animals and plants, which they filter from mud or water. The tongue acts like a piston, drawing water into the beak and then forcing it out, so that the food is trapped against filters along the edge of the beak. The pink and red colour comes from bacteria in the salt water - the shrimp and algae they feed on contain carotene which produces the different shades of pink.

BREEDING: Flamingos reach sexual maturity at 4 to 5 years. The incubation period is 30 days. Young birds begin to fly at 85 days.

LIFESPAN is 25 to 30 years.

NUMBER/CONSERVATION: The population in Namibia is about 30,000 of each species.

HABITAT: The Walvis Bay wetland is a vital link in a global network of nature reserves. If the Walvis Bay lagoon were to disappear for these birds, there would be few other places for them to move. The result would be significant mortality of the displaced birds. The Walvis Bay wetland is a vital refuge for flamingos during the dry season yearly.