Galapagos (American) Flamingo
Punta Moreno, Isabela | Galapagos
The Galapagos (American) Flamingo, Phooenicopterus ruber, sometimes treated as an endemic subspecies, is the world’s smallest flamingo population with around 350 individuals at most. They are only found in a few saltwater lagoon locations around the islands where they live in small groups. The plumage colouration varies a fair bit subject to the amount of pigment consumed in their diet of shrimps and other small crustaceans.
We were fortunate, as we saw them twice. The first time was at Punta Moreno, Isabela, where we had a long walk across what initially looked like a barren lava field until we came upon a couple of brackish ponds formed by the lava bed surface collapsing into the lava tubes below. There were four birds here, but it was disappointing as they spent the whole time in a tight huddle in the corner of the pond. On the second occasion we were at Punta Cormorant on Floreana where there is a large lagoon, which has one good viewing point. We were lucky here as there was a small group of five birds feeding just a little way out. They were slowly making their way into the middle of the lagoon, but were around long enough to get a few decent photos in the can. It was a nice peaceful experience and so different to the other experiences we had on this trip.
Galapagos (American) Flamingo
Punta Moreno, Isabela | Galapagos
The Galapagos (American) Flamingo, Phooenicopterus ruber, sometimes treated as an endemic subspecies, is the world’s smallest flamingo population with around 350 individuals at most. They are only found in a few saltwater lagoon locations around the islands where they live in small groups. The plumage colouration varies a fair bit subject to the amount of pigment consumed in their diet of shrimps and other small crustaceans.
We were fortunate, as we saw them twice. The first time was at Punta Moreno, Isabela, where we had a long walk across what initially looked like a barren lava field until we came upon a couple of brackish ponds formed by the lava bed surface collapsing into the lava tubes below. There were four birds here, but it was disappointing as they spent the whole time in a tight huddle in the corner of the pond. On the second occasion we were at Punta Cormorant on Floreana where there is a large lagoon, which has one good viewing point. We were lucky here as there was a small group of five birds feeding just a little way out. They were slowly making their way into the middle of the lagoon, but were around long enough to get a few decent photos in the can. It was a nice peaceful experience and so different to the other experiences we had on this trip.