Intervention

Sony A1, FE 200-600mm F5.6-6.3 G OSS, FL: 216mm, S: 1/1,250s, A: F7.1, ISO: 1,000.

A juvenile flamingo confidently strides toward a duo of adult flamingos, likely its parents, emitting loud honks.

The mists had rolled in across the lagoon, the cool, wispy air gently wrapping itself around the banks of the nearby shore. With it came the flamingos, a flamboyance that landed on the jutting mud flats that pressed up at low tide. The feeding grounds appeared for the flamingos as they spread across the embankment, tapping and toeing their way as their beaks descended into the shallow, nutrient-rich waters, searching for krill and other tasty morsels to eat. A honking broke out as one youngster called at a pair of mature flamingos, announcing his presence as he approached their feeding ground in a confident stride. However, the exchanges grew heated as he got nearer, and the pair of adult flamingos turned to face this adolescent, making his way to them. On reaching them, the honks turned to grunts, and the large male flamingo drew up to his full height, indicating his displeasure at this young one's loud arrival. In contrast, the adolescent seemed to take a few seconds to figure out what to do next and similarly raised his posture to counter the male. But within seconds, he was chastised by both as the adults swung their beaks at him, clearly showing their displeasure at his rather loud arrival.

For me, it seemed very familiar territory. Family squabbles break out often, especially as youngsters grow into their teens and seek to define their space and sense of self. This drives behaviours that can be confrontational for many. While saying that, it is also true that nature changes the disposition of youngsters entering adulthood to press their will and ways in the process of this self-identity while at the same time learning social norms and boundaries. It seems no different with animals and our feathered friends that day, and for me, it was a reminder of the challenges faced by youngsters and their parents as they mature into adulthood.

Young Flamingos - Some Interesting Facts

Flamingos are renowned for their social nature, making them one of the most sociable bird species worldwide. This communal spirit plays a crucial role in nurturing their young within the safety of a flock and imparting essential life skills. Over a span of two to three years, chicks transition from their initial white or grey feathers to their iconic pink plumage as they reach maturity between 3 to 5 years old.

Typically laying a single egg annually, flamingos occasionally surprise with twin eggs, although such instances are extremely rare. Young flamingos start off grey or white and gradually turn pink over the first few years of their lives. With a lifespan of 20 to 30 years in the wild, these birds are known for their remarkable recognition abilities; a mother can identify her offspring by sight and sound.

From an early age, young flamingos form "creche" flocks, allowing them to familiarise themselves with their environment while their parents forage for food. This cooperative approach to raising their young underscores the strong familial bonds that flamingos exhibit.

Feathered Friends Collection

Welcome to our feathered friends, with their flights of fancy, twitchers' delight, and the lightest touch.

Ever-present in our lives, birds fill the skies, settle in tree branches, and thrive on the ground. Their movements fill us with delight and awe; their silence is broken by delightful songs or anxious craws. This collection celebrates these moments in time with our feathered friends.