The Andean Flamingo is a very rare bird that lives in the Andean mountains. It looks very much like other flamingo species, with pink feathers, a long black beak, long legs and neck. One thing that makes Andean flamingos unique is that they have yellow legs. They are considered a vulnerable species by the International Union for Conservation of Nature, which means that they are likely to become endangered.
Diet
You can tell what a flamingo eats by the shape of its bill. Flamingos have deep-keeled bills, and the only food they eat is a form of algae called diatoms. They collect their food by putting their heads upside-down underwater and moving their heads side to side to collect algae. They have long tongues and a thin plate-like structure called a lamellae that filter out the water from their food.
You can tell what a flamingo eats by the shape of its bill. Flamingos have deep-keeled bills, and the only food they eat is a form of algae called diatoms. They collect their food by putting their heads upside-down underwater and moving their heads side to side to collect algae. They have long tongues and a thin plate-like structure called a lamellae that filter out the water from their food.
Habitat and Mating
Andean Flamingos spend most of their time in fresh and saltwater lakes at about 2300- 4500 meters above sea level in the Andes mountains. They are a nomadic species because they have to follow their only source of food- algae. They have a very long lifespan, living up to 50 years old. They live together in large colonies, and mate in December and February. They choose their mates in this mating dance.
Andean Flamingos spend most of their time in fresh and saltwater lakes at about 2300- 4500 meters above sea level in the Andes mountains. They are a nomadic species because they have to follow their only source of food- algae. They have a very long lifespan, living up to 50 years old. They live together in large colonies, and mate in December and February. They choose their mates in this mating dance.
After the flamingos have chosen mates, they build nests out of mud for their eggs. The females will usually lay only one egg, and both parents will take turns warming the egg until it hatches. Once the egg hatches, the offspring are grey, and they become more pink as they age.
Vulnerable Species
Andean Flamingos are considered vulnerable because their population has decreased from around 50 000- 100 000 to 34 000 from the mid 80s to mid 90s. A major factor in the decline is that thousands of eggs were being collected to sell as food. Because each flamingo pair typically has only one egg, that caused a massive decline. There has also been an increase in mining in the area, which has destroyed part of their habitat. Tourists have also been damaging some of the nesting grounds, and some hunters hunt the flamingos for food, feathers, and oils. Part of the decline has also been natural, because the water levels have been decreasing due to changes in weather, so there is less area for the flamingos to get their food.
Andean Flamingos are considered vulnerable because their population has decreased from around 50 000- 100 000 to 34 000 from the mid 80s to mid 90s. A major factor in the decline is that thousands of eggs were being collected to sell as food. Because each flamingo pair typically has only one egg, that caused a massive decline. There has also been an increase in mining in the area, which has destroyed part of their habitat. Tourists have also been damaging some of the nesting grounds, and some hunters hunt the flamingos for food, feathers, and oils. Part of the decline has also been natural, because the water levels have been decreasing due to changes in weather, so there is less area for the flamingos to get their food.
Conservation Efforts
The government of Argentina has put laws in place to ensure that flamingo eggs won't be collected as food, and more of their habitat will be protected. There are also several nature reserves in Argentina, Bolivia, and Chile that are all quite similar.
The reserve in Bolivia is called Eduardo Avaroa Andean Fauna National Reserve. It provides a safe haven for the flamingos to breed and thrive. But there are some problems at the reserve. There is lots of farming and raising of livestock in the area, which depletes some of the natural resources and contaminates the water. There is also an increase in tourism to the area because of the volcanoes, hot springs, and other attractions, which damages the land as well.
The other reserves share similar structure and problems. More needs to be done to protect the Andean Flamingo, and ensure that it will survive for generations to come.
The government of Argentina has put laws in place to ensure that flamingo eggs won't be collected as food, and more of their habitat will be protected. There are also several nature reserves in Argentina, Bolivia, and Chile that are all quite similar.
The reserve in Bolivia is called Eduardo Avaroa Andean Fauna National Reserve. It provides a safe haven for the flamingos to breed and thrive. But there are some problems at the reserve. There is lots of farming and raising of livestock in the area, which depletes some of the natural resources and contaminates the water. There is also an increase in tourism to the area because of the volcanoes, hot springs, and other attractions, which damages the land as well.
The other reserves share similar structure and problems. More needs to be done to protect the Andean Flamingo, and ensure that it will survive for generations to come.