Seasonal Distribution, Abundance, and Nesting of Puna, Andean, and Chilean Flamingos

Abstract

Of the world's five flamingo species, the rarest and least known are the Puna Flamingo (Phoenicoparrus jamesi) and the Andean Flamingo (P. andinus). These two species coexist with the more common Chilean Flamingo (Phoenicopterus chilensis) throughout much of their range. We conducted four simultaneous surveys from 1997 to 2001 (two in summer and two in winter) to estimate the distribution and abundance of all three species in Argentina, Bolivia, Chile, and Peru, at a regional scale. Of 224 wetlands surveyed, 179 had flamingos; 63% of these were in the high Andes (above 4000 m), 25% were in the puna (3000 to 4000 m), and the remainder were in lowlands (below 3000 m). Maximum counts were 64 000 Puna Flamingos (summer 1998), 34 000 Andean Flamingos (summer 1997), and 83 000 Chilean Flamingos (winter 1998). In summer, Puna Flamingos congregated at wetlands in the high Andes, with 50% of the population in just three lakes: Colorada, Grande, and Vilama. Andean Flamingos were more uniformly distributed across a broader elevational range (2500 m), and Chilean Flamingos showed a heterogeneous distribution pattern. In winter, all species moved to lower latitudes within the high Andes and to lower altitudes on the central plains of Argentina. The most important nesting wetlands were Colorada, in Bolivia, for the Puna Flamingo, Surire and Atacama, in Chile, for the Andean Flamingo, and Surire for the Chilean Flamingo. We recommend continued monitoring through simultaneous summer surveys, and a conservation strategy that considers the large spatial and temporal scales at which these species operate, including their seasonal migrations.

Explaining Variation in Abundance and Species Diversity of Avian Cestodes in Brine Shrimps in the Salar de Atacama and Other Chilean Wetlands

“…The widespread presence of the flamingo parasites Fl-1 in the south [15] and north, but in different seasons, may be explained by regional migratory movements of the Chilean flamingo (a common winter visitor in Patagonian lagoons, but which migrates to northern Chile and Argentinean Patagonia for breeding [49,50,60]). Many of the Chilean flamingos in Atacama move to lower altitudes during the austral winter [32], potentially explaining the abundance of Fl-1 in austral spring in CIS [15] and its presence in Salar de Atacama in autumn (present study).…”

“…and Salar de Pujsa (PUJ, at 4530 m.a.s.l.) located within Los Flamencos National Reserve which are Ramsar sites due to their importance for a variety of waterbirds, especially the Andean flamingo Phoenicoparrus andinus (Philippi), the Puna flamingo Phoenicoparrus jamesi (Sclater), and the Chilean flamingo Phoenicopterus chilensis Molina [32]. Flamingos are present all year round in the Salar de Atacama, although many individuals disperse to lower altitudes outside the breeding season [33].…”

“…Flamingos are present all year round in the Salar de Atacama, although many individuals disperse to lower altitudes outside the breeding season [33]. The Salar de Atacama is one of the most important breeding sites for the Andean flamingo [22,32], whereas the higher altitude sites are more important for the Puna flamingo. We failed to find Artemia at PUI, TAR and PUJ (which was frozen when visited in June 2018, Table S1).…”

Seasonal dynamics of waterbirds from a relict wetland in the central Monte Desert, Argentina

“…Thus, during the winter, flamingos benefit from the decrease in the water level, since there are more foraging opportunities (Alvarez et al 2018). Although this wetland is not the habitat preference of flamingos, it may constitute a resting place during their migratory movements (Caziani et al 2007). Moreover, anatids of the genus Dendrocygna were recorded during the winter, species which occasionally visit the area (Martínez et al 2009;Zanotti 2020).…”

Hydroclimatological Patterns and Limnological Characteristics of Unique Wetland Systems on the Argentine High Andean Plateau

“…They also serve as steppingstones during the migration of long-distance migrants, particularly shorebirds [48,51,52]. Among birds, flamingos (Phoenicopteridae) are iconic species in the landscape, moving from one wetland to another, making alternative and complimentary use of these wetlands for feeding and breeding, effectively connecting these wetlands as a network of habitats [53][54][55]. Flamingos are an important component of the increasing nature tourism industry that has developed in the past decade and serve as flagship species for the conservation of high-elevation watersheds.…”