Enter the fascinating world of hundreds of free-flying Caribbean Flamingos, introduced by Sir Richard Branson into a most extraordinary setting, his home island, Necker, in the British Virgin Islands. Determined to reestablish a hardy flamingo presence in the Virgin Islands after man extirpated this native bird as recently as the 1960s, two natural salt ponds are plumbed, providing an aquatic oasis teeming with life. Flamingo ingenuity and care is evident while rearing the first two Necker-born generations. Follow the physical and social development of four amazing characters and their friends as they grow from fluffy white chicks to elegant coral pink adults. Flamingos of Necker Island: Sir Richard Bransons Brilliant Birds offers an intimate view of the cooperative, complex society of a flamingo colony. Over 300 beautiful photographs illustrate fun and surprising discoveries in the lives of the individuals, families and clans that share Sir Richards island. Flamingos of Necker Island: Sir Richard Bransons Brilliant Birds examines flamingo behavior, language, personality and decision-making among family, friends, and community from egg to adulthood, and courting to chick rearing that one precious egg a mating pair might produce in a favorable year. Why is a colony called a flamboyance, or a regiment? How do males and females treat one another? How do they raise their young? Is a Caribbean Flamingo always pink? Whats for dinner? Do they play? How do they express their feelings and communicate with each other and the world around them? Each chapter is a picture-filled demonstration of life in the cohesive flamingo colony that wisely chooses to make Necker Island their home.
Enter the fascinating world of hundreds of free-flying Caribbean Flamingos, introduced by Sir Richard Branson into a most extraordinary setting, his home island, Necker, in the British Virgin Islands. Determined to reestablish a hardy flamingo presence in the Virgin Islands after man extirpated this native bird as recently as the 1960s, two natural salt ponds are plumbed, providing an aquatic oasis teeming with life. Flamingo ingenuity and care is evident while rearing the first two Necker-born generations. Follow the physical and social development of four amazing characters and their friends as they grow from fluffy white chicks to elegant coral pink adults. Flamingos of Necker Island: Sir Richard Bransons Brilliant Birds offers an intimate view of the cooperative, complex society of a flamingo colony. Over 300 beautiful photographs illustrate fun and surprising discoveries in the lives of the individuals, families and clans that share Sir Richards island. Flamingos of Necker Island: Sir Richard Bransons Brilliant Birds examines flamingo behavior, language, personality and decision-making among family, friends, and community from egg to adulthood, and courting to chick rearing that one precious egg a mating pair might produce in a favorable year. Why is a colony called a flamboyance, or a regiment? How do males and females treat one another? How do they raise their young? Is a Caribbean Flamingo always pink? Whats for dinner? Do they play? How do they express their feelings and communicate with each other and the world around them? Each chapter is a picture-filled demonstration of life in the cohesive flamingo colony that wisely chooses to make Necker Island their home.