Cozumel Flamingos

Pink Flamingos in Punta Sur:  A Healthy Sign

Photo Courtesy of Chelsea Roberts

After nearly a decade away, these birds are returning….

Within the past few years the American flamingo (Phoenicopterus ruber)  has returned to the protected lagoons in the Punta Sur Park, located in the southern area of the island of Cozumel.

In 2015 a colony of 16 flamingos was reported in the Laguna Columbia.  This return was significant because these birds have not been reported in this area since 2005, when the entire island was affected by a hurricane.  Naturalists have been hard at work with reforestation programs and after 10 years their efforts proved successful.

Since their return, the colony continues to grow, providing further testament to the recovery of the mangrove areas.  Since the birds are migratory, biologists have been studying their population for nearly a year to grasp an accurate perception of their population.

Flamingos are large wading birds that like to nest in muddy islets and are found throughout the Yucatan Peninsula. Their breeding season is from May through August.

Flamingo eggs take about a month for incubation and are cared for by both the male and  the female.  Flamingos have one of the longest life spans of all birds and live approximately 40 years.

Flamencos rosas en Punta Sur: una buena señal

Photo Courtesy of Fred Boehm

Después de casi una década, estas aves están regresando. . .

En el lapso de los últimos años el flamenco americano (Phoenicopterus ruber) ha regresado a las lagunas protegidas en el parque de Punta Sur, ubicado en la zona sur de la Isla de Cozumel .

 

En el año 2015 se obtuvieron reportes de una colonia de 16 flamencos en Laguna de Colombia. Su regreso ha sido importante ya que, debido a la afectación que dejara el huracán en la Isla, desde el año 2005 no se les veía en esta área. Los naturalistas han trabajado arduamente en los programas de reforestación y tras 10 años sus esfuerzos han sido favorables.

 

Los flamencos son  grandes aves zancudas que gustan de anidar en islotes lodosos y se les encuentra a lo largo de la Península de Yucatán. La temporada de reproducción es de Mayo a Agosto.

 

El periodo de incubación de los huevos de los flamencos es de casi un mes y tanto la hembra como el macho cuidan de ellos. El ciclo de vida de los flamencos es el más largo entre las aves ya que viven aproximadamente 41 años.

 

Laura Wilkinson
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