Like all flamingos, Caribbeans
have jet black primary and
secondary wing feathers.
Phoenicopterus, the genus
to which the Caribbean
flamingo belongs, translates
as ‘crimson wing’, highlighting
the deep pink covert feathers
that contrast with these black
plumes. This differentiation
of red, pink and black is
harnessed by courting
flamingos in their breeding
displays. Flashes of black
ripple against the overall pink
background of the dancing
flock as birds perform wing-
salutes and twist-preens.| PORTFOLIONATURE56 June 2017