A Flamboyance of Colour

A flock of flamingos is called a ‘flamboyance;’ an apt name for one of nature’s most colourful and distinctive birds. These incredible waterfowl can be found throughout the world, from the Americas to Africa and Asia. Their distinctive one-legged posturing has also given them a second collective name, a ‘stand’ of flamingos (while this makes sense, we at The Climate Tribe think that a flamboyance of flamingos is too much fun not to say).

In a world of blue oceans, orange deserts, and green forests, flamingos' brilliant pink colouring comes from carotenoids in their diet as they feast on plankton and animals.

But like many creatures around the world, their habitats face destruction. Wetlands, one of the Earth’s most crucial ecosystems (and most powerful carbon sinks) face increasing incursion from luxury golf courses and coastal development. Many might look at a wetland and categorise it as merely a ‘swamp,’ but protecting these diverse waterways keeps our beloved flamingos flush with pink shrimp.

And maintains their glorious, flamboyant colour.

This award-winning photograph is from the ninth season, “Water”, of the Hamdan bin Mohamed bin Rashid al Maktoum International Photography Award (HIPA) Archive. The Climate Tribe has partnered with HIPA, leveraging the power of photography to inspire global awareness of sustainability and advance climate action.