Color of Pembroke Pines Flamingos

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Posted by Ken Schneider on 18:13:29 08/06/05

Here is my response to a neighbor who lives near the 14th SW Manor wetlands in Pembroke Pines. His photos raise an interesting possiblility in view of the color of these birds. Might these bird have wandered (or blown) up from Snake Bight? (I could attach a photo but do not know how)
======

Thank you, Dave

I can see up to 10 individual flaminngos in your 16 photos. I live about a half mile south of you and have seen as many as 9 fly over. They were always flying to the southeast. Not sure of the significance, but Hialeah Race Track is about 13 miles in that direction. It may be possible that they are "commuting" to your wetlands. I noted that they have a lot of aquatic life, especially since Hurricane Dennis passed by.

The winds from Dennis raise the possibility that the birds were brought in from a much greater distance-- Cuba or maybe Mexico. There may be no way to know. We saw no bands on their legs to identify them as part of a zoo collection. Hialeah seems not to mark them either, and their flock is free-flying.

We thought their color was quite bright red when they flew over, but it was always at the ends of the day, when sunlight has a lot more warm tones. Your photos in broad daylight make them appear less "red" or salmon-colored, more to the "pink" side. Color can be a clue as to the birds' origin-- those from Hileah are fed a special diet that keeps them in good color. Birds from the Caribbean are also quite salmon colored. The "wild" flock that is often seen at the southern tip of the Everglades has a color that approaches those in your photos. This is very interesting-- it would be nice to know if they are being seen down there at this time. Dennis could have just as well blown them up this way.

Please let me and Barry (Heimlich, President of Broward Audubon Society) know if you continue to see them. Barry is probably going over there this evening to take a look. I am in Chicago this week. In the meantime we have put a request for sightings out on the Internet. So far no one reports seeing them anywhere else at this time.

Ken

Ken and Mary Lou Schneider
Miramar, Florida 33029

DAVID TRINGO wrote:

> My neighbor tell me you would be interested in some pictures of the flamingo s which have recently appeared in our neighborhood, attached are some photos. I would appreciate any info on the birds (where, why, how long etc)

Rosy Finches at Sandia Crest, NM

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Comments:	: Here is my response to a neighbor who lives near the 14th SW Manor wetlands in Pembroke Pines. His photos raise an interesting possiblility in view of the color of these birds. Might these bird have wandered (or blown) up from Snake Bight? (I could attach a photo but do not know how) : ====== : : Thank you, Dave : : I can see up to 10 individual flaminngos in your 16 photos. I live about a half mile south of you and have seen as many as 9 fly over. They were always flying to the southeast. Not sure of the significance, but Hialeah Race Track is about 13 miles in that direction. It may be possible that they are "commuting" to your wetlands. I noted that they have a lot of aquatic life, especially since Hurricane Dennis passed by. : : The winds from Dennis raise the possibility that the birds were brought in from a much greater distance-- Cuba or maybe Mexico. There may be no way to know. We saw no bands on their legs to identify them as part of a zoo collection. Hialeah seems not to mark them either, and their flock is free-flying. : : We thought their color was quite bright red when they flew over, but it was always at the ends of the day, when sunlight has a lot more warm tones. Your photos in broad daylight make them appear less "red" or salmon-colored, more to the "pink" side. Color can be a clue as to the birds' origin-- those from Hileah are fed a special diet that keeps them in good color. Birds from the Caribbean are also quite salmon colored. The "wild" flock that is often seen at the southern tip of the Everglades has a color that approaches those in your photos. This is very interesting-- it would be nice to know if they are being seen down there at this time. Dennis could have just as well blown them up this way. : : Please let me and Barry (Heimlich, President of Broward Audubon Society) know if you continue to see them. Barry is probably going over there this evening to take a look. I am in Chicago this week. In the meantime we have put a request for sightings out on the Internet. So far no one reports seeing them anywhere else at this time. : : Ken : : Ken and Mary Lou Schneider : Miramar, Florida 33029 : : DAVID TRINGO wrote: : : > My neighbor tell me you would be interested in some pictures of the flamingo s which have recently appeared in our neighborhood, attached are some photos. I would appreciate any info on the birds (where, why, how long etc)
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