Flamingo watching season is in full swing, with hundreds of the breathtaking birds flocking to Kuwait’s coasts. While flamingos can be found year-round in Kuwait, they are more commonly seen during the milder weather from November to March. The birds often travel and live in groups called a flamboyance, a fitting name given their colorful, striking appearance. According to the Birds Kuwait Encyclopedia, huge flocks are often seen in Sulaibikhat and Jahra bays, with as many as 3,000 birds recorded in some years. They have also been recorded in inland pools in Jahra.
These areas attract bird enthusiasts and nature lovers alike. This year, the Kuwait Environmental Lens volunteer team held an event at the Kuwait Foundation for the Advancement of Sciences (KFAS) to observe and track migrating flamingos along the Sulaibikhat coast. The event was part of Science Month, a program organized by KFAS and its partners to engage people with science. The program includes a variety of activities designed to spark curiosity, enhance scientific understanding and make science fun for people of all ages.
At the event, visitors had the chance to observe flamingos and other birds in their natural habitats using binoculars and telescopes. Participants were able to relax and enjoy a peaceful, contemplative experience. Some of the flamingos plunged their head in the water, likely after spotting their favorite foods — algae, small seeds, tiny crustaceans (such as brine shrimp), fly larvae and other plants and animals that live in shallow waters. Flamingos feed by holding their large bill upside down in the water, scooping in water and mud. Comb-like plates along the edge of the bill help filter out the water, while trapping food inside.
Participants were amazed by the flamingos’ vibrant pink color, but it’s not something they’re born with. Their striking hue actually comes from the beta-carotene found in the food they eat. Some people were even lucky enough to spot flamingos in flight, where the black feathers under their wings are visible—something not often seen when the birds are standing still.
The event also highlighted the importance of preserving Kuwait’s coasts and the delicate ecological balance that supports these migratory birds. Kuwait is an important stop for migratory birds traveling between Europe, Asia, and Africa, thanks to its location along a major migration route called the Central Asian Flyway. This makes the country an important haven for migratory species, especially during the spring and autumn migration seasons. More than 400 bird species, including flamingos, have been recorded in Kuwait. To help protect these birds, the country has established nature reserves and signed international agreements, like the Ramsar Convention, to safeguard wetlands that are essential for migratory species.
However, Kuwait still faces challenges in protecting migratory birds. Urban development, habitat loss, and climate change all threaten the habitats these birds rely on. Flamingos are especially vulnerable to pollution in the tidal flats where they feed. They also face risks from getting accidentally caught in fish nets, and, sadly, they have been targeted by poachers. In a tragic incident in 2011, 11 flamingos were shot by poachers who reportedly broke into the Abdaliya Nature Preserve. Ongoing efforts by local conservationists are dedicated to addressing these challenges and protecting the habitats that flamingos and other migratory birds depend on.