Caribbean Flamingo

The only flamingo that occurs naturally in North America is the Caribbean flamingo. Its current range includes sites throughout the Caribbean, Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula, and small populations in the Galapagos and Florida. Non-breeding flocks of American flamingos commonly occurred in Florida before 1900. Even though American flamingos are locally widespread in coastal areas they are highly vulnerable to disturbance. The Caribbean flamingo is not endangered, but aspects of its biology make it vulnerable and a candidate for conservation measures.
Disturbance at the primary breeding site in Mexico, Reserva de la Biosfera Ria Lagartos, has resulted in a high variability in reproductive success from year to year. The site has been monitored since the 1970s

The activities in Mexico are coordinated by Rodrigo Migoya von Bertrab, Ph.D., Director of Niños y Crias, and field manager Melgar Tabasco. Niños y Crias is an NGO dedicated to conservation of the Caribbean flamingos and their habitats, education of children about their native wildlife and habitat preservation, and pollution control through recycling. The Dallas Zoo has joined Niños y Crias to promote and assist in the conservation and research of the Caribbean flamingo in Mexico. This is one of the goals of the strategic plan which Niños y Crias is developing. To achieve this particular goal a three-part strategy is being implemented. First, to reduce the impact of predators and flooding. Second, to increase public awareness through education. Third, to increase scientific knowledge about the natural history of the flamingo.
The staff of Ria Lagartos Reserve is protecting the breeding colony from predators, such as jaguars and feral dogs, and flooding. In 2000, a jaguar repeatedly harassed the nesting colony, causing the abandonment of thousands of eggs. The staff rescued hundreds of eggs and successfully hand-raised over one hundred chicks. Each year since then, the staff has built a blind near the colony for 24-hour monitoring. The presence of the staff is enough to discourage predators. Flooding, however, is not so easily controlled.
In an effort to prevent flooding, Niños y Crias is soliciting funding to restructure the nesting island, modeled after a similar project that is successful in the Camargue, France. All of these projects combined will reduce the negative impacts of predators and flooding.

Flamingos Banding Event

Researchers will band, weigh and measure approximately 500 juvenile flamingos annually. The gender of these birds will be determined by DNA analyses through the University of North Texas. Re-sightings will be used to determine many demographic parameters, such as age at first breeding, longevity, migration pathways and natal dispersal. Additional studies at the breeding colony will investigate individual behavior to determine incubation patterns, parental behavior, and gender-specific roles. In addition, investigations of nutrition aspects and hematological-related pathology are being conducted.
The final product of the research program will be a sub-population of individually identifiable flamingos with known birth dates and genders. Our goal is to band at least 10% of the Mexican population, or 2,800 individuals. This will allow various studies (e.g. dispersal, migration, longevity, immigration/emigration, sex differences, and reproductive success/failure) that were previously impossible. The ultimate goal of the project is to determine important life-history parameters.
Sustained support from a variety of international agencies and institutions for the past three years has presented a solid foundation for continued structured research. Biologists and managers can then use what is learned to develop viable long-term conservation strategies for Caribbean flamingos in the future.

For further information please email us to correo@ninosycrias.org.mx