Greater Flamingos in the salt ponds of Grand Turk
On an all too short visit to Grand Turk, a girl friend and I spent at least an hour getting these shots of the Flamingos in the town salina. They didn’t seem too worried about us and just went about their business of searching for food.
The West Indian Flamingo is part of the crest of the Turks and Caicos Islands and stand on either side of the shield.
The flamingo’s long legs and neck make them look quite awkward but it enables them to inhabit deeper water than other wading birds. Their specialized upside down beaks contain rows of bristles (lamellae) through which they strain the water for minute organisms which they can swallow without raising their heads.
There were quite a few flamingos wading the salt ponds on this particular day.
The Town Salina in Cockburn Town, Grand Turk, is surrounded by people, houses and roads. Still, this doesn’t disturb the flamingos which like to feed there. The flamingos are often joined by pelicans and herons.
Birdwatching is a favourite occupation here in our islands. If you are a bird watcher or birder, come see all the different varieties of birds found in the Turks and Caicos Islands
Marta
