Flamingo

At close range, the pinkish tint of its wings and the bare parts of its body (legs, beak) is clearly visible, while from a distance it gives the impression of being white. It flies with its neck and legs extended with rapid flapping of the wings; juveniles and up to 2 years of age have a brown tint that slowly turns white and then pink as the feathers of the body change one by one. Males are distinguished from females by their greater height.

It spreads to Africa, Southern Europe and Asia. Birds of the Mediterranean coast and those of West Africa are considered to belong to a separate sub-population from the rest, i.e. they move between these areas and rarely beyond them (South Africa and Asia).

It does not breed in Greece. Attempts have been made in the past in Messolongi, the salt marshes of Citrus, and recently (2020) in the lagoon of Agios Mamantos in Halkidiki. Also, in 2002 in Kalloni’s Salt pans. The birds seen in our country come mainly from colonies of the species in Turkey, Italy, France and North African countries. They overwinter (20,000-30,000 birds) but also remain in wetlands in our country throughout the year.

The Gulf of Kalloni is considered one of the important areas in Greece where Flamingos gather to winter (usually 1300-1800 birds), but they are present all year round with their population dropping to 400 individuals each summer (when adults and matures are in breeding colonies). In some years it may even shoot up to 4000 birds when, after the breeding season is over, they move to other areas and stay on Lesvos for a short period of time. The safest place to see them is at Kalloni Salt Pans and Polyhnitou Salt pans and also (more in winter and spring) at the wetland of Messa, Nine Arches, Parakila wetland and Nifis, Alykoudi, Tsiknias estuary and the shallow N coast of the gulf.

• It feeds by dipping its beak into the water and filtering it as it passes through a system of membranes with the help of its strong tongue muscle. It consumes a variety of aquatic invertebrates (shrimps, molluscs, insects), plant material (seeds of aquatic plants, algae) and possibly small fish. It usually walks as it does this or splashes about trying to lift prey from the bottom into the water. In some areas it feeds its chicks with a special substance (like milk) produced by both parents until the chick is two months old.
• They mature and can breed from the age of 3 years and above (usually 5-6 years old).
• Their calls are often heard as they fly over villages at night moving from wetland to wetland within Lesvos, although birds are constantly leaving and coming from other areas (Turkish coast). Individuals and small groups can also be observed on the northern coast of the island (Gavatas - Tsonia), especially in late summer and autumn.
• The first juvenile Flamingos appear every year at the end of August and are birds that had born in wetlands in neighbouring Turkey.
• They live many years and the oldest Flamingo has reached 33 years in the wild and 44 in captivity!
• It is the tallest bird in Greece and the largest of the 6 species of the flamingo family in the world.