The Andean Flamenco or
parihuana in Peruvian history.
Andean
flamingo (scientific name: Phoenicoparrus andinus) is also known as parihuana,
parina, chururu, tococo and large parina. It exists in Peru, Chile, Bolivia,
Argentina, countries where there are mountain ranges and lagoons in high areas,
in wetlands whose height ranges from 1500 to 4500 meters. Flamingos can fly 700
miles in a day; in the summer they live in salt lakes and migrate to the lower
wetlands for winter. The cause of this migration from summer to winter is due
to the extreme dryness of the salt flats during the winter. In Peru it is also
found in the beautiful bay of Paracas. Some regions where they live are
protected, such as the Eduardo Abaroa National Wildlife Reserve (Bolivia), the
Paracas National Reserve, the Salinas and Aguada Blanca Reserve (both in Peru),
the Mar Chiquita Lagoon (Argentina) and the Atacama Salt Flat. (Chile). In
Peruvian history, it is associated with the colors of the national flag, red
and white.
The
Andean flamingos in the adult stage can reach a height between 130 and 150
centimeters, the wingspan reaches 150 cm. The maximum weight can be 4 kilos,
the average is 1.5 kg. The predominant pink color, with red and white spots;
the beak is black and has a yellow base. Andean flamenco is the only one with
yellow legs.
Andean
flamenco adapts to the conditions of the environment where it is found; Your
favorite diet is blue green algae, small invertebrates and fish that are found
in ponds and ponds. The life expectancy of Andean flamingos in a natural state
is between 20 to 50 years, with favorable conditions. In captivity they can
live 60 years. The sexual maturity is reached when they are between 4 to 6
years old, they are monogamous, the brooding lasts between 23 and 34 days. They
are very sociable, daytime and nomadic. The main nesting site worldwide for
this species is the Salar de Atacama, in Chile. At three months of age the
chicks are able to fly and move, mainly towards more northern latitudes.
Risks for Andean flamingo populations
Flamenco
is at the limit of the line of extinction, it is considered a vulnerable animal
and has been included in the Red List of the International Union for the
Conservation of Nature for several years. It is not in danger of extinction,
but if it continues the human aggression to its habitat and to themselves, soon
it will be history. The overexploitation of their ecosystems by mining, the
excessive and uncontrolled collection of their eggs, as well as climate change
represent a real danger.
The
main threat to the flamingos are the mining excavations, at the end of the
summer rainy season. The Andean flamingo habitat is rich in boron compounds,
especially borax, which is toxic to Andean flamingos; Excess boron causes
skeletal malformations, cardiovascular defects and degeneration of the
testicles. A dose of 5 g of borax can produce adverse effects in animal
populations, its development and reproduction is affected. Mining also affects
the availability of water and accelerates the removal of moisture from lakes.
Andean flamingos filter surface water for food, but borax contaminates this
water. With insufficient food supply and a disturbed habitat, population
decline is inevitable.
A
senseless or motivated human activity by greed is the collection of eggs by the
locals; groups of organized criminals in Chile trap the flamingos and export
them to Europe, the United States and other destinations abroad. Egg collection
may be acceptable if local populations are malnourished, but the studies show
no protein deficiency.
References
Flamenco
Andino
Phoenicoparrus
andinus
