An Afternoon Encounter with the Greater Flamingoes at the Ras Al Khor Wildlife Sanctuary, Dubai

 

Pretty in pink! The greater flamingoes are a sight to behold

Graceful like ballerinas on those stilt-like legs

Time to gather around for a dance number

Dancing or flight mode?

The long, S-shaped necks

The neck: S-Curved or Straight Line simply amazing! 

There is beauty in solitude

It's more beautiful when it involves Me and You

The Flamingoes of the Ras Al Khor Wildlife Sanctuary are simply awesome! 

Just a short drive from downtown Dubai is the awesome Ras Al Khor Wildlife Sanctuary. This wonderful nature reserve is home to a great number of birds and other awesome creatures. The mangrove forest here is also well established and thriving! Among the numerous birds in the sanctuary, the Greater Flamingoes are the "true stars of the show". Off from work, I just took a little detour to have a lovely afternoon "bird gazing" at these bird stars. I have seen these flamingoes numerous times but they are just so graceful and captivating. Reminds me of the graceful ballerinas in a rendition of Tchaikovsky's Swan Lake.. Time to play the classical music!   

Description of the Greater Flamingoes, Pheonicopterus roseus

The greater flamingoes are the largest living species of flamingoes in the world. It can grow up to a height of 110-150 cm (43-59inches) and can weigh 2-4kgs. The largest male flamingo reported have reached 187cm and 4.5kgs. 

They have stilt-like legs and thin, long necks which can form S-shaped curves. They are equipped with curved beaks. Most of the plumage of these graceful birds are pinkish-white (that's why most people call them the pink flamingoes). Its wing coverts are red and the primary and secondary feathers are black. Juveniles are grey-brown, wherein their plumage turns pink when they reach the age of two. 

Distribution of the Greater Flamingoes

These flamingoes are found in parts of Africa, South Asia and in the Middle East and Southern Europe. In the United Arab Emirates they are mainly found in: Ras Al Khor Wildlife Sanctuary, Al Qudra Lake (Dubai) and  at the Al Wathba Nature Reserve, Mangrove National Park, Bul Syayeef Marine Protected Area (Abu Dhabi) and in the selected coastlines of Fujairah.  

Biodynamic Notes 

Greater flamingoes thrives on shallow, salty lagoons, lakes and creeks ("khors") where they breed and feed.  They filter their food (plankton, algae, crustaceans, mollusks and insects) from the water using their uniquely designed curved beaks.

It is reported that they get their pink plumage color from the pigment called "carotenoids" derived from the plankton, shrimps and other other crustaceans that they feed upon. 

These birds are monogamous and are noted to produce only one egg during the breeding season.

These graceful birds are an awesome reminder of our role to protect our environment and to keep there breeding and feeding areas safe from human encroachment and destruction. 

Greater flamingoes are truly a sight to behold in their natural environment! Lets keep it that way!

Awesome creatures! Awesome CREATOR! 

Thanks for your support and careful attention. 

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