Caribbean flamingos (Phoenicopterus ruber), El Cuyo, Ria Lagartos Biosphere Reserve, Gulf of Mexico
Rather better shots were obtained of the flamingos at the El Cuyo end of the reserve than at the Rio Lagartos end.
The Caribbean species is, as can be seen, not pink, but a vibrant scarlet in colour. Pink or red, the pigmentation comes from their consumption of large quantities of brine shrimp in these highly saline waters. They also eat the algae on which the shrimp feed. Both organisms are rich in beta-carotene, the compound which gives carrots their colour. Take the beta-carotene from their diet, and flamingos become white.
Caribbean flamingos breed on several Caribbean islands, in northern South America, on the Yucatan Peninsula and in Florida.
240220 003
Kubaflamingo Красный фламинго
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All images are the property of the photographer and may not be reproduced, copied, downloaded, transmitted or used in any way without the written permission of the photographer who may be contacted by registering with flickr and using flickrmail
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Caribbean flamingos (Phoenicopterus ruber), El Cuyo, Ria Lagartos Biosphere Reserve, Gulf of Mexico
Rather better shots were obtained of the flamingos at the El Cuyo end of the reserve than at the Rio Lagartos end.
The Caribbean species is, as can be seen, not pink, but a vibrant scarlet in colour. Pink or red, the pigmentation comes from their consumption of large quantities of brine shrimp in these highly saline waters. They also eat the algae on which the shrimp feed. Both organisms are rich in beta-carotene, the compound which gives carrots their colour. Take the beta-carotene from their diet, and flamingos become white.
Caribbean flamingos breed on several Caribbean islands, in northern South America, on the Yucatan Peninsula and in Florida.
240220 003
Kubaflamingo Красный фламинго
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
All images are the property of the photographer and may not be reproduced, copied, downloaded, transmitted or used in any way without the written permission of the photographer who may be contacted by registering with flickr and using flickrmail
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