Flamingos in Mar Chiquita Photo Gustavo Bruno |
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Photo credits : Chilean Flamingo Pablo Rodríguez Merkel ; Andean Flamingo pxhere . com ; Puna Flamingo via Flickr . |
Andean Flamingo The Andean Flamingo ( Vulnerable ) is one of the world ’ s rarest flamingos , and the only species to possess yellow legs . It can modify its feeding behaviour to match other flamingo species nearby , but is largely confined to high altitudes , putting it at extra risk from egg theft and habitat destruction . |
Puna Flamingo The Puna Flamingo ( Near Threatened ) is a small , delicate species with pale , pastel pink colouration . A visitor from the high Andean plateaus , its food supplies risk being depleted by Climate Change and habitat degradation . Unlike the nasal , raspy call of the Andean Flamingo , this species emits a pleasant , fluted tone . |
Wolf Chrysocyon brachyurus ( Near Threatened ) – essentially , a fox on stilts – lopes along while the bizarre Sickle-winged Nightjar Eleothreptus anomalus ( Near Threatened ) glides overhead . Swampy areas host Dot-winged Crake Porzana spiloptera ( Vulnerable ) and Dinelli ’ s Doradito Pseudocolopteryx dinelliana ( Near Threatened ), while Crowned Solitary Eagles Buteogallus coronatus ( Endangered ) roam over dry , quebracho-stippled Chaco forest .
A haven for wildlife , unequivocally . But also a haven in peril , regrettably . Mar Chiquita may drip with official designations : “ It ’ s a Ramsar Site , one of Argentina ’ s top Important Bird and Biodiversity Areas ( IBA ), a Western Hemisphere Shorebird Reserve and a provincial reserve ”, says Malena Srur of Aves Argentinas ( BirdLife Partner ). But these alone haven ’ t kept it safe . Mar Chiquita features among Argentina ’ s handful of IBAs In Danger . It is this unfortunate claim to fame that has spurred action by Aves Argentinas . Action that will now receive Birdfair funding .
The organisation has a full plate in front of them . Water is being extracted from Mar Chiquita at a rate that prompts talk of desiccation . The lake suffers pollution from local industry . The area ’ s integrity , Srur says , “ is further threatened by agricultural intensification ,
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an above-average deforestation rate and unregulated tourism ”.
For several years , Srur explains , Aves Argentinas has surveyed birds , raised environmental awareness , improved management and clarified land ownership at Mar Chiquita . Then came its masterstroke : an ambitious plan , developed with provincial and national authorities , to create what should become the country ’ s largest national park . Anticipated to be officially designated this year following a concordat signed in 2017 by Argentina ’ s environment minister , National Parks Administration and the governor of Córdoba province , Ansenuza National Park will protect up to 700,000 hectares . “ Being managed at the national rather than regional level guarantees greater protection ,” says Srur . This is mighty work – worthy of the gods , indeed .
Which brings us to the legend that seasons Mar Chiquita . The fable both explains the national park ’ s name and celebrates its flamingos . One day , Ansenuza – the beautiful yet cruel goddess of water – chanced upon a warrior dying in the sandy margins of her lagoon . Unexpectedly , she was entranced by his beauty . Moved by love for the first time , Ansenuza wept as the man ’ s life expired , her torrential tears turning the lake salty . Fellow gods took pity on Ansenuza and
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birdlife • apr-jun 2018 |