I’m sure you’ve heard how beautiful flamingos are. They’re cute, right? Well, they are even cuter in real life. The island of Curaçao is home to some of the most amazing flamingos in the world. And now you can see them, too.
There are many different places to bird watch here. One such place is called the Flamingo Park. Here you will find many flamingos in the shallow water.
If you want to see more, there is another great place nearby. It’s called St. Willibrordus. Here you will see both flamingos and egrets. You can easily see the flamingos as they gather around the roads. If you are lucky, you can see them up close. They are shy, so don’t approach them or get too close.
One of the places people often forget to mention are ‘
The Salt Pans in Jan Thiel
‘. By the way, this is a great location for a morning or late afternoon walk or run. Here you will find a bunch of flamingos in the wild. While looking for these animals, you can enjoy the beautiful, soothing and unique surroundings (and burn a lot of calories for that delicious food and beer you’ll have later).
Saint Willibrordus and his Flamingos
The town of Sint Willibrordus is located just off the west coast of Curaçao. It is a small town, but with big ambitions. As you get closer, it is impossible to miss the “Williwood” sign on a hill in the distance (a Curaçao version of the famous Hollywood sign). It is one of the most popular tourist attractions on the island, as it is a replica of the Hollywood sign, located across the road. At night, it looks like a huge light bulb. You soon pass the old saliñias of Rif-Sient Marie, a former salt mine plantation. The former site is now a protected habitat for local flamingo species.
Williwood
The most beautiful pink flamingos in the world can be found in the village of Williwood on the island of Curaçao.
Here you will find the famous flamingo reserve. There are about 400 flamingos here. They are from South America and live in the area around the Williwood sign.
In 2011, a petition from locals changed the name of the region from St. Willibrordus to Willibrordus. This is now officially called Williwood.
Willibrordus is the patron saint of the Netherlands and his feast day is celebrated every year on April 14. He is one of the four apostles of Jesus Christ. In the village stands St. Willibrordus Church, which dates from 1880.
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Everything you need to know about these beautiful pink flamingos
There are six flamingo species
There are six different species of flamingos: the American (these are found on the island of Curaçao), the large, the small, the James, the Chilean and the Andean flamingo. All flamingos belong to one family called Phoenicopteridae. Included in this family are ducks, geese, swans, storks, herons, ibis, spoonbills, grebes, cormorants, gulls, terns, kingfishers, orioles, woodpeckers, toucans, parrots, hummingbirds, eagles, owls, falcons, hawks, vultures, kites, buzzards, pelicans, cranes, ostriches, emus, nandos, and penguins.
Flamingos are pink because of what they eat
Flamingos are one of nature’s most beautiful birds, but their color is not just a pretty sight. Their vibrant hues come from eating a special kind of algae called Dunaliella salina. This alga contains specific types of carotenoid pigments that give flamingos their characteristic pink hue.
The same carotenoid pigmentation occurs in many other animals, including humans. We call it “carotenoid,” and we use it in everything from food coloring to cosmetics.
Flamingo nests are made of mud
The flamingo’s nest is built of mud, sticks, grasses and twigs. The eggs average about 50 millimeters (2 inches) in size and weigh between 2.7 and 3.3 grams each. They are laid in May and June, and the female lays up to four eggs a day. It builds its nest in shallow water, usually near shorelines, and covers it with leaves and debris. After she lays the eggs, she returns to the nest every few hours to check on them. If there is no food nearby, she flies off to find some.
Flamingos are monogamous, but sometimes the male takes over the job of building the nest and incubating the eggs. He stands guard while his buddy does the rest. When the chicks hatch, both parents feed them. At maturity, flamingos live up to 25 years.
The flamingo dance
The word “flamingo” is derived from Spanish flamenco, meaning “wild dancing,” because flamingos perform strange dances while wading in shallow water.
Each of the six flamingo races performs its own unique dance during the mating season. However, they all share a similar set of steps. These consist of a ritual of clearing followed by a head-throwing motion known as “fragmentation.” This involves throwing the head sideways from side to side. The head throwers are not only loud, but also meant to make sure everyone knows exactly what is happening.
Kura Botanica Hotel Image Gallery
Nena Sanchez Art Gallery – Jan Kok Country House
While you are at Huize Flamingo, do not hesitate to visit the beautiful Jan Kok Manor and the Nena Sanchez Art Gallery.
Jan Kok (1680-1748), known as “the father of the Netherlands Antilles,” built his country house in 1730 near the village of Willemstad. He was a wealthy planter and slave owner. His house became the center of social life in the 18th century. In the 19th century it served as a schoolhouse and later as a church.
Today, the mansion serves as a museum, art gallery and studio for Nena Sanchez’s colorful paintings. Her work can be seen all over the island. She paints cheerful landscapes, but she also paints still lifes.
Did you know that Nena was once crowned Miss Curaçao?
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