Squabble
Sony A1, FE 200-600mm F5.6-6.3 G OSS, FL: 324mm, S: 1/1,000s, A: F7.1, ISO: 800.
A noisy squabble erupts alongside the shallow embankment as the small group of flamingos search for food.
The cold, misty morning conditions had brought the thick, rolling mists onto the lagoon. Occasionally, it cleared briefly in places, reflecting the silhouettes of the flamboyance of flamingos that had landed to enjoy the opportunity it brought to find feed. As the clouds of grey and white floated across the calm waters, the flamingos broke away into smaller groups, each heading for a location where shrimp and other foods may be found. As they moved around, their beaks swished from side to side in the cold, nutrient-rich water, filtering what they could.
They would occasionally disappear from sight as another cotton cloud wrapped around them, leaving them like ghosts at sea, mere shapes that told of their movement. As one small group reached the side of a narrow channel by the shore, a lone flamingo appeared, striding over purposefully to join them in the search. But it was not to be, as two members of the flock noticed his approach and headed towards him, one on each side, honking loudly with displeasure. With their long necks extended and beaks ready, they clashed in the middle, pressing him to retreat. The loops of their necks turned and twisted, the honking reached fever pitch, and the lone flamingo pushed back but chose to move past the two aggressors onto a nearby, safer spot. Satisfied he presented no further threat to their space, the small flock once again tuned to focus on their feed, their heads back down filtering through the fresh, misty waters for the platter of food beneath.
More and more studies are revealing the complexity of animals’ social lives, which makes it harder to ignore our reflections on research findings. Using human behaviour as a blueprint might give us valuable clues into what animals need to be happy. This is applied more easily to some species (such as primates) than others. However, it is critical that science doesn’t neglect the social needs of animals simply because they are considered less “clever” or “relatable” than other species in the zoo. If humans require friendships to be happy, is it really such a great leap to think that flamingos might need the same?
Social Friendship: Flamingos Are Picky
In research on their friendship bonds, flamingos were found to form cliques reminiscent of our social circles. These elegant birds, known for their vibrant appearance and graceful movements, exhibit a need for social interaction, longevity, and the formation of enduring friendships, much like us.
Just as humans are selective about their friends, so too are flamingos. They choose preferred companions and rely on them for support during conflicts with rivals. Within their social structure, a flamingo’s inner circle typically includes their breeding partner along with several close friends. What's intriguing is that flamingos can form both platonic and potentially even sexual bonds with birds of the same sex, leading to the formation of mixed-sex trios and quartets. These relationships can last for decades, highlighting the depth of their social bonds.
Observations of flamingos in Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust (WWT) reserves, as well as those in zoos, reveal a social dynamic reminiscent of children on a playground. Just like in a schoolyard, there are the popular individuals, the more aggressive ones, and the quieter ones who keep to themselves. Remarkably, these groups of flamingos are often composed of the same individuals, seen together frequently, illustrating the strength and stability of their social bonds.
So, while flamingos may live in a world that appears vastly different from ours, their social behavior reveals a striking similarity to human social structures.
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.
