The Ses Salines Natural Park is home to the largest population of Ibiza’s water birds, as its salt pans and lakes are a refuge for many different species, including flamingos. A visit to this nature reserve will reward you with views of dozens of these birds, as this species feeds on crustaceans and algae. This year, the park personnel carried out a count of the numbers and calculated that there are more than 1000 flamingos in the natural park, the biggest number since records began in 1988.
These svelte rosy-hued birds can be seen from the main road of Ses Salines or from different look out points in the park, where you will also find display boards with information not only about flamingos, but also other migratory birds.
The Ses Salines Natural park is considered to be one of the most richly diverse and outstanding natural areas in the biogeographic region of the Western Mediterranean.
Why are flamingos pink?
Flamingos are a pinkish colour which varies in intensity depending on their diet. The digestive system of these birds extracts the reddish pigments from the micro-organisms that it eats and, little by little, they accumulate in the birds’ feathers as they grow. When the flamingo has a healthy pink colour it is a sign that it is eating the right food, is in good health, and is “ready to breed”.
In Ibiza, the salt pans of the Ses Salines Natural Park are home to an abundance of small crustaceans known as “Artemia salina” which help to maintain the lagoons, ensuring purity of the salt, and it also happens to be the flamingos’ favourite food.