The Pink-backed Pelican also known as the Caribbean flamingo, is a bird that is not born pink.
The reason for its pink color is due to the carotenoid pigments found in its food. If it does not feed on this type of food, it returns to its white color.
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Facts about the Pink-backed Pelican
The rose-backed pelican belongs to the family Phoenicopteridae and the class Aves. It lives in tropical and subtropical regions. Its scientific name is Phoenicopterus ruber.
The success of the Pink-backed Pelican’s reproduction is attributed to its bright and attractive color.
Breeding Pink-backed Pelicans feed at night or during the day, while non-breeding one’s feed at night and spend their days sleeping or engaging in other activities such as bathing.
When greeting each other, Pink-backed Pelicans spread their wings, raise their tails and necks for a few seconds.
In the wild, Pink-backed Pelicans live for 20 to 30 years and sometimes form flocks containing thousands of birds.
Pink-backed Pelicans can move across the surface of a lake thanks to their webbed feet.
Pink-backed Pelicans stand on one leg instead of two, and the reason for this behavior is still unknown.
Scientists speculate that standing on one leg outside cold water helps them maintain body heat.
What are the characteristics of the pink-backed pelican?
The size: The Pink-backed Pelican is small in size.
The length: ranging from 125 to 155 cm in length. Its wingspan ranges from 215 to 290 cm when open.
The weight: Its weight ranges from 4 to 7 kilograms.
The bill: The Pink-backed Pelican has a long, straight bill that extends forcefully. The female’s bill length is 30-45 cm, while the male’s is 35-47 cm.
The neck, leg: It has a very long neck but short legs.
The skin: The skin around the eyes, nostrils, forehead, and lower jaw is sensitive yellow skin without any feathers.
The feather:The adult swan has white feathers with a pink tint.
Blood vessels: Blood vessels with red color can be seen through the yellow pouch on the bill.
The jaw, eyes: The lower jaw of the Pink-backed Pelican is grayish-blue, The eyes have light red irises.
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Habitats of the Pink-backed Pelican
Pink-backed Pelicans are found worldwide.
You find them in Africa, some parts of the Mediterranean and southwest Asia.
They are present in South Sahara, Iran, Kazakhstan, and the Middle East.
Other species of Pink-backed Pelicans live in the southern region of South America, as well as in the Galapagos Islands, Turks and Caicos Islands, Bahamas, and India.
Pink-backed Pelican diet
The pink flamingo feeds mainly on blue-green algae, diatoms, mollusks, larvae, and small insects, crustaceans fish.
In the Caribbean region, Pink-backed Pelican eat larvae and pupae of flies and saltwater shrimp, considering them a main food source.
A young Pink-backed Pelican eats about 60 grams of dry weight to meet its daily nutritional needs.
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Reproduction stages of the Pink-backed Pelican
There is no specific time or season for Pink-backed Pelican reproduction, and conditions such as rainfall levels and the amount of available food for these birds can affect the timing of the breeding season.
During the breeding season in the colony, the male Pink-backed Pelican sways in front of the female, flaunting and preening its feathers. While these birds are believed to be monogamous, some males mate with multiple females.
The female lays one egg in a nest, and both parents take turns keeping the egg warm until it hatches.
The incubation period typically lasts between 27 and 31 days.Pink-backed Pelican chicks are born with soft white down feathers and straight bills, and after three weeks, they start living with other birds and begin feeding on their own.
FAQs about Pink-backed Pelican
Is the Pink-backed Pelican herbivorous, carnivorous, or omnivorous?
The Pink-backed Pelican is an omnivorous animal, meaning it eats both plants and other animals.
Can pink-backed pelicans fly?
Yes, the rose-backed pelican can fly, and it is one of the fastest birds.
In conclusion, it is important to emphasize the importance of this bird species and the need for conservation efforts to protect them.
References:
Wikipedea
