CARIBBEAN FLAMINGO

The Caribbean Flamingo phoenicopterus ruber is an irregular visitor to Aruba.  Known as “Chogogo” in our local language Papiamento, you will find a few have been imported from our neighboring island Bonaire and reside on Renaissance Island for a commercial attraction.  De Palm Island recently also imported a few for their beach as well.  Spanish Lagoon or one of our salt ponds is where you might have a rare sighting of these gorgeous birds in a natural environment.  The vibrant pink color comes after the fourth year.  This amazing color is acquired by the pigment in the algae they consume.  In Bonaire nature preservation groups established a breeding sanctuary (55 hectares) where they protected over 2000 nests.