As you navigate through a flock of birds in today’s puzzle, you might spot one with bright pink feathers, stilt-like legs and an S-shaped neck… the flamingo!
Click start to play today’s birds-themed Word Search.
They may be easily identifiable because of their unique colour, but flamingos weren’t born that way. Their young are white, with soft, downy feathers and a straight bill. And about a week later, when they leave the nest and join other young flamingos, their parents learn to identify their chicks by their voice.
Scientists have always known that flamingos are incredibly social, but in an April 2020 study by the UK-based University of Exeter, published in National Geographic, researchers discovered that these birds form lifelong, loyal friendships. From 2012 to 2016, researchers gathered data on four captive flocks of Caribbean, Chilean, Andean and lesser flamingos at the Slimbridge Wetland Centre in Gloucestershire, UK.
By observing flocks ranging from 20 to 140 individual birds, scientists were able to observe that flamingos maintained selective and stable friendships. They would do this by standing close together with their ‘squad’ for long periods of time. Enduring friendships were found among flamingos who built nests together and raised chicks each year, as well as friends who were from the same gender, and small core groups with three to six buddies.
Remarkably, like humans, the birds were also seen carefully avoiding certain birds in their flock – individuals they didn’t get along with. Scientists think their behaviour is a way to prevent squabbles and reduce stress.
Understanding flamingos’ social bonds is helping conservationists better manage both captive and wild flamingos, especially since four of their species are currently dwindling in number.
Did you know about the social side of flamingos? Play today’s Word Search and tell us at games@gulfnews.com.
