Flamingos feeding their chicks (Phoenicopterus ruber)

Also this year the flamingos have nested in the lagoons of Cagliari and were born thousands of flamingos. After about two weeks from birth the chicks gather in groups called "microcrèches", and their parents leave them alone. then the microcrèches merge into "crèches" containing thousands of chicks. Chicks that do not stay in their crèches are vulnerable to predators. During the day the mother and father alternate in feeding their young and are always able to find their child among thousands of other very similar individuals. The flamingos feed their chicks with a kind of crop milk, produced in the glands lining the whole of the upper digestive tract.

At the time of the meal the chicks stand with their backs to their mother, the neck lifted with the beak open where the mother slides the food. after about two months they are able to filter the food from the lagoons with their beak.

Nikon D500, f/10, 1/1600sec, ISO 220. Thanks for your comments

Another extraordinary picture and I enjoyed your story as well. Regards, Jack

Grazie mille Jack

Giangiorgio..My comment of this morning got lost in space....somewhere and admired your image.Great narrative to explain the feeding of the chicks and your photo does justice to the event with the feeding at center stage.Bravo et salutations-Laurent

Grazie mille Laurent for you attention and for your appreciated comment

Amazing flamingo abstract image, Giangiorgio! I've never seen these birds close. Carefully looked at your photo, flamingos are so funny sitting! There was a foolish question about the knees back in a sitting position (Google explained to me the design of flamingo feet). Delight! Sincerely, Tatiana

Thank you Tatiana for your observations and your innate curiosity. The legs of the flamingos that bend upside down as we are used to seeing has always fascinated me, another feature is the position of rest on one leg and the other folded under the body with a well-adjusted center of gravity that even with the stronger winds they do not oscillate

Oh my! What a huge crop of birds this year! Nice shot!

Thank Warren for your visit an appreciated comment

Ciao Giangiorgio: A very interesting image, quite different and standing out from the trite Flamenco tourist photographs.... At first sight, it look as many "hanging" dead birds for sale in a strange Asian market. This is a masterful take. in that you carefully place the land with Flamencos, and the background very nicely intertwined to produce a powerful effect. Great composition. Auguri. DG

David thanks for yor visit and for your interesting observations and appreciated compliments

Well seen and presented, Giangiorgio. Best regards, Paul.

Many thanks Paul and Dana for your visit and kind comment, ciao Giangiorgio