Behavioural patterns of two flamingo species (Phoenicoparrus andinus and Phoenicopterus chilensis) and their relationship with weather conditions of Melincué Lagoon, Argentina, during winter

Abstract

Flamingos are gregarious birds that live in brackish lakes. During winter, Andean Flamingo (Phoenicoparrus andinus) and Chilean Flamingo (Phoenicopterus chilensis) inhabit shallow lakes of southern Santa Fe Province, Argentina. Our objectives were to assess the behavioural patterns of these species during winter at Melincué Lagoon, and to evaluate the influence of weather conditions on these patterns. We selected adult individuals of each species and recorded simultaneously their behaviours and the values of five weather conditions (temperature, wind-chill factor, atmospheric pressure, relative humidity, wind speed). Main behaviours recorded for both species were resting, preening and feeding. There were significant differences between species in their behavioural patterns. Andean Flamingo spent more time walking and in alert, while the Chilean Flamingo spent more time resting. Individuals of both species spent more time feeding during periods of high atmospheric pressure, and resting during strong winds. The Andean Flamingo was more active, being less affected by strong winds. These results highlight the need to do long-term ecoethological studies of these species. Knowledge about flamingo biology should help the design and implementation of action plans for its conservation and the conservation of the wetlands they inhabit.