Notable birds to look out for... the married couple?
There are two Andean flamingos residing at WWT Slimbridge that are firm friends and practically joined at the proverbial hip. As the Andean flock has been together for a very long time, one would assume that relationships could have the potential to form and be long-lasting over the many decades that Slimbridge has housed this species. So get your binoculars out and search the flock for "JAU" a deep-coloured, very tall male with a slightly argumentative streak and "JAY" his more demure, paler, more slightly-built companion. I feel like I should use the word "wife" in place of companion because if there was ever a candidate for the married couple of the flamingo world then I think these two would win hands down. They can often been seen preening in close proximity to one another, feeding together, sleeping side-by-side, following each other around the enclosure. A picture of domestic bliss.
Both of these birds arrived at Slimbridge in the 1960s and form the core part of the flock that can still be seen today. They have had a very long time to get to know each other well and, just like human friendships, I am sure the bond between them has strengthened and solidified over time. Male flamingos are generally (and this is only a general rule) more statuesque than the females; so try it out when you're next at Slimbridge... Spot the taller "JAU" and I bet you'll have a good chance of seeing the shorter "JAY" as his closest neighbour. Ah, "young" love!
