Residents and visitors in Plett have enjoyed the yearly visits from a small group of greater flamingos. Years ago there were only a few occasional flamingos seen in the lagoon during the end of summer. In the last few years this group has slowly grown to a stand of around 80 birds. The greater flamingo can be identified by its pink feathers and black-tipped wings. They stand to about 130 – 160 cm tall and can often be seen with their heads down in the mud or submerged in shallow water treading around in a circular fashion. In doing so they filter algae and organisms from the mud and water through their beaks and it is said that their pinkish colour is a result of the pigments in some of their diet of shrimp and some algae.
These visitors can be seen flying from Poortjies to the Bitou wetlands and back again daily as the tides alter their feeding grounds.
A few extra facts about our yearly visitors:
- The name “flamingo” was derived from a Spanish and Latin word “flamenco”, meaning “fire”.
- They have a long lifespan – Their age can reach to around sixty years in the wild.
- The legs of a flamingo are longer than its body.
- Flamingos sit by extending their legs backwards.
- Flamingos are highly sociable birds and live in colonies together which protects them from any possible predators while their heads are down in the mud.
Yet another extra reason why Plett is always, a special place to visit.
