Are There Flamingos In Jamaica?

New! See the real Jamaica in VIDEOS!
Click Here and see why over 140,000 fans are raving about my YouTube Channel!

Are There Flamingos In Jamaica?

by Venesha Johnson | Associate Writer

What’s the most beautiful bird? I am pretty sure if you were to make a list of them, the Flamingo would definitely be on there. Are there flamingos in Jamaica?

Are there Flamingos in Jamaica?

Yes, there are. The Caribbean flamingo, also known as the West Indian, American, or Rosey flamingo, is one of the six species of flamingos.

This species can be found primarily in the Galapagos Islands, the Yucatan Peninsula of Mexico, the northernmost point of South America, the Bahamas, the British Virgin Islands, and Bonaire in the West Indies.

For their bright feathers, as food, and as exotic pets, flamingos were almost hunted to extinction less than fifty years ago. However, conservation initiatives have increased their population.

Where in Jamaica can You see Flamingos?

Jamaica is not overrun with Flamingos. You will not casually walk along a beach and run into a group of flamingos nor are there especially known areas where you can find them. But, people have attested to seeing them before.

Outside of seeing them at local zoos there are no “special” Flamingo sites in Jamaica. However, there have been mentions of seeing them in Black River, St. Elizabeth and Portland Cottage, Clarendon.

About the Caribbean Flamingo

1. A large wading bird with reddish-pink feathers, the American flamingo. One of the longest life spans among birds is theirs, which is 40 years. Although the largest flamingos in the Americas, adult American flamingos are typically smaller than greater flamingos.
   
   The majority of its feathers are pink, hence its former name of rosy flamingo, which distinguishes adults from the much paler greater flamingo. The primary and secondary flight feathers are black, while the wing coverts are red. The bill has a thick black tip and is pink and white. All of the legs are pink.|
   
   
2. The Caribbean Flamingos are extremely social birds that communicate vocally and visually. During the breeding season, they congregate in sizable colonies that can number anywhere from a few dozen to hundreds of thousands.
   
   They perform group courtship rituals that get the colony ready for a single breeding event.
   
   
3. Flamingos appear to constantly be vocalising to one another in addition to using body language. Flamingos from the Caribbean trumpet, cackle, and grunt. They make quiet, low "gabbling" noises while eating. They crow in flight like geese.
   
   
4. Lagoons, estuaries, mudflats, and lakes on the coast or inland serve as feeding grounds for Caribbean flamingos. They can wade into relatively deep water to feed due to their size and very long legs.
   
   They open their bills slightly while submerged upside down, filtering water through comb-like plates on either side. They eat a variety of small aquatic animals and plants that have been removed from the water.
   
   
5. Despite being non-migratory, Caribbean flamingos are nomadic and will travel great distances (hundreds of miles at times) in search of food. Large flocks fly in long, pink, curving lines.

Interesting Fact about Flamingos:

1. The word "flamingo," which was originally derived from the Portuguese for "red goose," refers to their flying formation and sound.
   
   
2. According to some scientists, the mating and courtship behaviours of Caribbean flamingos are the most basic. Before recent studies, researchers thought these birds were monogamous, but they are not.
   
   
3. All flamingos eat by using their bills, which are inverted. To collect the microorganisms that make up their diet, they tipped their heads into the water and used special adaptations in the top half of their bill to filter feed.
   
   
4. An ancient group of birds is the flamingo. Their oldest fossil evidence comes from the Miocene epoch, or roughly 10 million years ago.
   
   
5. Flamingos do not naturally have their stunning pink plumage. The carotenoid pigments they eat as part of their diet give them their colour. Some scientists think that a flamingo's vibrant colour plays a crucial role in its ability to reproduce.
   
   
6. The flamingo is distinctive in that both male and female adults give their young crop milk, a type of milk.

Jamaica is not known for its population of Flamingos and visiting the island with plans of seeing Flamingos in the wild may lead to some disappointments. However, Jamaica has some of the most exotic birds and bird watching is a favourite pass time of many so that will make up for it.

Sharing IS Caring! Please help me get the message out by sharing this article with your friends on social media (links below). Thnx ;-)

If you found this page useful, please consider subscribing to my weekly newsletter, to get even more. 

It tells you each week about the new information that I have added, including new developments and great stories from lovers of Jamaica! 

Return to Jamaican Animals from Are There Flamingos In Jamaica?
Return to My Island Jamaica Homepage from Are There Flamingos In Jamaica?

References & Sources For Are There Flamingos In Jamaica?

1. American Flamingo (2022) Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation. Available at: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_flamingo (Accessed: October 13, 2022).
2. Baltimore, T.M.Z.in (2022) Caribbean Flamingo, The Maryland Zoo. Available at: https://www.marylandzoo.org/animal/caribbean-flamingo/ (Accessed: October 13, 2022).
3. Caribbean Flamingo (no date) SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment. Available at: https://seaworld.org/animals/facts/birds/caribbean-flamingo/ (Accessed: October 13, 2022).
4. Carol_Bareuther (2017) Caribbean Flamingos, ALL AT SEA. Available at: https://www.allatsea.net/caribbean-flamingos/ (Accessed: October 13, 2022).

Are There Flamingos In Jamaica? | Written: October 13, 2022

Back To The Top Of This Page

New! Get My Latest Book👇🏿

You asked, I've answered! You no longer need to save for months or years, to enjoy paradise! JAMAICA On A Budget is your passport to experiencing what I call 'The Real Jamaica' on a budget! I spilled the beans! sharing my top tips on finding cozy accommodations and secret gems, only the way a native could! Click Here to pick it up on my e-store and start saving now!

See The Best Of Jamaica - In Videos!

My channel reaches over 140,000 subscribers worldwide and has leveraged over 11 million views, sharing, what I call 'The Real Jamaica'. Subscribe today and join our family of viewers.

Read More ...

New! Comments

Have your say about what you just read! Leave me a comment in the box below.

New! Experience The REAL Jamaica!
Book Your Private Tour here and experience Jamaica the way we (locals) do!

---

P.S. Didn't find what you were looking for? 
Still need help?

Click Here to try our dependable and effective Site Search tool. It works!

Or, simply click here and here, to browse my library of over 500 questions and answers! Chances are someone already asked (and got an answer to) your question.

---

JOIN OUR COMMUNITY Book Local Tours

Book Your Vacation Travel TIPS and Cautions

Watch My Videos!

NEW! 

Join the growing list of well-thinking,  Jamaica-Loving folks in our vibrant Private Community

👇🏿

Featured Video!

Travelling To Jamaica? 

Read this BEFORE you go

👇🏿

Recent Articles

• 
• 
• 

1. Jamaican Oats Porridge Recipe! Simple and Delicious

   Apr 19, 24 01:49 PM

   
   Yes! Oats porridge, the breakfast of champions! This simple dish is a go-to for most of us. Don’t you want to give the Jamaican Oats Porridge recipe a try?

   Read More

2. Jamaican Passion Fruit Juice | Refreshing, Delicious, Nutritious!

   Apr 18, 24 05:14 PM

   
   Summer is fast approaching. We’ll need many refreshing drinks to take through the warm sunny weather. Why not add Jamaican passion fruit juice to the list?

   Read More

3. Lime Cay Jamaica | A Jamaican Beach Adventure!

   Apr 18, 24 10:21 AM

   
   I am convinced some of the most pristine beaches in the world are right here in Jamaica. Here’s one you might not have heard of, Lime Cay Jamaica!

   Read More

4. The Iberostar Rose Hall Beach All-Inclusive Hotel

   Apr 17, 24 04:33 PM

   
   In Montego Bay, hotels are a dime a dozen. It’s sometimes hard to choose where to stay. If you are considering Iberostar Rose Hall Beach, here’s what to expect.

   Read More

5. Must Have Experiences In Jamaica...That Don’t Include The Beach

   Apr 17, 24 11:25 AM

   
   Jamaica boasts many beaches, of which we are immensely proud. But, take a step back from the sand and sea for some other must have experiences in Jamaica.

   Read More