There are six species of flamingos, some of the most beautiful and outstanding birds throughout the world. Three species live in the Andes Mountains of Peru, Chile and Bolivia and on the Galapagos Islands west of South America. The others live in Central America, Mexico, parts of Africa and the Bahama Islands. Because plume hunters killed so many, flamingos no longer live wild in the southern United States. On one of the Bahama Islands, a colony of a species known as the Caribbean, consisting of over a thousand beautiful, orange-red birds, is protected by the government.
It is a beautiful sight to see a flock in flight. Their colors range from pale pink to deep scarlet, or combinations of the two with white accents. During nesting season most of the South American group, as well as those in Central America and Mexico, are exceptionally beautiful. Their plumage turns a brilliant red over their entire bodies, except for their beaks which are a combination of light pink, white and jet black.
One species known as the greater flamingo is the largest and most numerous. It can be as tall as 6 feet with a wingspan of 5 or 6 feet and can fly 35 miles an hour. Another species, called the lesser flamingo, is the smallest.
Each flamingo (regardless of species) has a long, graceful, snake-like neck and heavy body held high on long legs with webbed feet. During resting periods it stands on just one leg with the other lifted up and bent, and its head is snugly tucked under a wing. Its box-like beak is distinct from that of any other bird; the lower part is like a scoop and the upper part forms a lid.
When feeding, its bill is thrust upside down with scoop open into the ooze at the bottom of a marsh, and its flexible neck swivels this around in circles to collect food of various kinds. Then it lifts its head out of the water, pressing the two beak halves tightly together to squeeze mud and water through the sieve-like center edges. The food that remains (algae, small shellfish and other creatures) is passed into its throat by its long, oily tongue.
While the opening verse assures us of God’s watchful eye over these birds, they, of course, are not aware of their Creator nor of His care. But He has given us His Word, the Bible, to tell us this is so, and more importantly to tell us of His special, loving thoughts toward us. It is a very rewarding book to read. Do you read it every day?
(to be continued)
ML-07/11/1999