A review of captive flamingo (Phoenicopteridae) welfare: a synthesis of current knowledge and future directions

Abstract

Flamingos are ubiquitous captive species (potentially the world's most commonly kept zoo bird) that have long lifespans and unique breeding cycles. In‐depth research into the links between provision (enclosure, husbandry), behavioural performance (reflecting internal motivation) and perceived welfare state (from behavioural cues) can inform management for good welfare over the many decades of a bird's life, and benefit reproductive output. Here, the published literature on flamingo husbandry is reviewed, with reference to our current understanding of flamingo behaviour in the wild. Evaluation of whole‐flock time budgets and assessment of behavioural diversity can highlight any deviation from a norm. Several published works suggest ways of improving breeding success in captive flamingos by re‐evaluating husbandry routines as well as highlighting minimum numbers of birds per flock for ‘good welfare’. Research has shown that some aspects of zoo‐flamingo activity can match that of wild birds. Further examination of specific behaviour patterns, as well as the motivations for these, would allow for evidence‐based enclosure design and provision of species‐specific behavioural husbandry. Future research topics covering social support, foraging activity and developing a definition of ‘positive welfare activity’ would further enhance zoo management practices for these birds.

Plumage variation and social partner choice in the greater flamingo (Phoenicopterus roseus)

“…As suggested by Rose et al [2014] and Amat et al [2011], plumage coloration has been shown to be related to health and reproductive success in greater flamingos. Our findings provide support for the idea that plumage coloration could be a factor that greater flamingos use when choosing social partners, but more investigation is required to fully understand the relationship between plumage coloration and social partner choice.…”

Inter-annual patterns of aggression and pair bonding in captive American flamingos (Phoenicopterus ruber)

“…Because they are highly gregarious and among the most common birds in zoos, flamingos are well suited for monitoring how aggression and social relationships change over time, with a focus on social stability and behavioral consistency [Rose et al, 2014]. Relatively high levels of aggressive interactions have been documented for captive flamingos at the group [Perdue et al, 2011;Hinton et al, 2013;Hughes and Driscoll, 2014] and individual levels [Hughes, 2015].…”

“…Relatively high levels of aggressive interactions have been documented for captive flamingos at the group [Perdue et al, 2011;Hinton et al, 2013;Hughes and Driscoll, 2014] and individual levels [Hughes, 2015]. Hughes [2015] assessed dominance over multiple years, finding that dominance interactions were stable across seasons; however, little other information exists on inter-annual variation in other aspects of flamingo behavior [Rose et al, 2014]. Although pair bonds among wild flamingos do not typically persist beyond one breeding season and the mate-switching rate between seasons can be greater than 98% [Cezilly and Johnson, 1995;Cezilly et al, 1997], captive populations exhibit relatively high mate fidelity potentially due to smaller population sizes [Pickering, 1992;Farrell et al, 2000;Shannon, 2000;Studer-Thiersch, 2000].…”

“…Although pair bonds among wild flamingos do not typically persist beyond one breeding season and the mate-switching rate between seasons can be greater than 98% [Cezilly and Johnson, 1995;Cezilly et al, 1997], captive populations exhibit relatively high mate fidelity potentially due to smaller population sizes [Pickering, 1992;Farrell et al, 2000;Shannon, 2000;Studer-Thiersch, 2000]. The relative lack of information on long-term behavioral patterns in flamingos have led Rose et al [2014] and others to call for further study of captive flamingo behavior to enhance management techniques and improve captive flamingo welfare.…”

Introduction to Avian Challenges

“…Zoological institutions have an ethical responsibility to ensure the well‐being of the animals in their care and the scientific responsibility to gain a greater understanding of the well‐being of those animals by advancing animal‐welfare science (Association of Zoos and Aquariums, ). In‐depth research into the links between provision (enclosure, husbandry), behavioural performance (reflecting internal motivation) and perceived welfare state (from behavioural cues) can inform management for good welfare over many decades of a bird's life (Rose et al ., ). In a strategic move to enhance animal welfare, the Odense Zoo, Denmark, no longer pinions birds and built a large aviary for bird taxa that are often pinioned (Klausen, ).…”