American Flamingo

        Today's featured feathered friend is the American Flamingo, one of six Flamingo species in the world.  At 46 inches in length (tip of bill to tip of tail), it is the second largest in size behind the Greater Flamingo (50 inches).  Their legs can be even longer than their body length, making them very tall birds.  Most other Flamingo species have differing shades of dull pink, making the American the most brightly colored Flamingo by far.  It has a pinkish/red plumage with stunning black flight feathers and long pink legs.  The bill is pink and white with a black tip.  Males and females are similar in appearance although males are much larger, much heavier and stand much taller than females. 

        On September 27th, we visited Flamingo Gardens in Davie Florida.  We finally saw a Flamingo.  We also saw lots of Indian Peafowl (Peacocks) roaming the park.  In the Wildlife Sanctuary, "rescued" birds are rehabilitated and released back into the wild.  However, depending on the severity of their injuries, some birds become permanent residents at the Gardens.

        Once native to south Florida, the American Flamingo has been eradicated from the U.S.  It breeds in Central America and the Caribbean Islands.  Occasionally, they will stray as far north as the Florida Keys or Everglades National Park.  Perhaps some lucky day we'll be in the right place at the right time to score a Flamingo on our life list.  We can't count this sighting on our list because the rules of birding require birds to be free, wild and unrestrained.  Regardless, we have now seen Flamingos.  Enjoy these photos of the American Flamingo.....tweet.....tweet!!