Flamingos

The Flamingo, protected on Bonaire, is the island’s signature bird.  Bonaire is one of the only Flamingo breeding sites in the Southern Caribbean.  The Flamingo Reserve, nestled among the salt pans on Bonaire’s southern tip, is a special breeding ground for the birds.  

Admittance is prohibited to the reserve as flamingos are very sensitive to disturbances, but often time flamingos can be seen from the road.  Additionally, flamingos may be spotted at Goto Lake, Slagbaai, Playa Funchi and other saltpans.

A few Flamingo facts: Caribbean flamingos have the brightest coloration and are pink because of a diet rich in alpha and beta carotenoid pigments found in algae and insects.  Flamingos mainly lay one egg, and chicks are grey and white.  In order to fly, flamingos have to get a running start!  Did you know that flamingos have little or no sense of smell?