Los Flamencos Nature Sanctuary – Colombia

About

Los Flamencos Fauna and Flora Sanctuary is located between the Tapias River and the fishing village of Camarones in the Guajira Peninsula of Colombia’s Caribbean Region. It is only 15 minutes South of Riohacha, Colombia. It has been a designated wildlife sanctuary since 1977.
Its main attraction is the American Flamingoes, but many other shore and water birds can be seen and found in the sanctuary. Los Flamencos Fauna and Flora Sanctuary encompass 7000 hectares, offering the Camarones River, the Tapias River, estuaries, lagoons, and other marshes in the area like Cienaga de Navio Quebrado, Manzanillo, Laguna Grande, and the Tocoromanes marshes.
The Camarones River offers the American Flamingoes Artemia Salina – a species of brine shrimp. These brine shrimp give the American Flamingoes their pink color that everyone loves. Flamingoes also feed on the larvae of shrimp and other species.
These Pink Flamingoes can be seen here during the wet season which is usually from September through December. You likely will see them in great numbers up to 10,000 during the wet season.
Even though being famous for its flocks of flamingoes, which it derives its name, the sanctuary is also considered one of the most protected diverse areas in terms of all the species that live and migrate here throughout the year.
Owen traveled to Los Flamencos Fauna and Flora Sanctuary in February 2016 and has photographed many species here. Owen has photographed smaller waders, long-legged waders, and passerines like the Double-striped Thick-knee, Scarlet Ibis, House Sparrow, Tropical Mockingbird, Southern Beardless Tyrannulet, Orinoco Saltator, and many other birds.