Flamingos are among the most recognisable
species on the planet. But the vibrant colour
and unmistakable form of the adults are not
present in the youngsters. Here, the grey-
white head of a Caribbean flamingo chick
stands out amid its parent’s plumage.
At this early stage, chicks are fed blood-
red crop milk, which is secreted and
regurgitated by its parents. As the juvenile
develops and its bill becomes curved, it will
start to filter feed on the carotenoid-rich
algae and crustaceans that give this
Claudio Contreras Koobbird its sunset hues.
IN FOCUS^ | Beak to beak