Lakes that host flamingos
International tourists flock to watch mesmerizing presence of the birds in their natural habitat in Kenyan waters
Lake Natron provides an ideal breeding place for flamingos because its harsh, alkaline environment acts as a natural barrier against predators. Its high salinity also supports the cyanobacteria that flamingos feed on.
As the lake's water evaporates, salt crystal islands emerge, providing nesting sites for flamingos. Chicks hatch between September and April.
Chris Relimoi, who has been working as a tour guide at Lake Bogoria National Reserve for 10 years, said that when flamingos come back, the chicks are usually white downy in color with black legs. Their distinctive pink color develops gradually as they grow and their diet changes. The shrimp, algae and plankton, which flamingos feed on, contain carotenoid that turns them into pink.
A flamingo lays one large egg in a year that hatches after 27 to 30 days. Both the male and female flamingos take turns in incubating the egg and also both feed the chick after hatching.
