Latest news with #Flamingos
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First Post
14-07-2025
- General
- First Post
How are flamingos threatening Italy's iconic risotto dish?
Italy's prized risotto rice is facing an unusual threat: flamingos. These elegant birds have invaded flooded rice fields in Ferrara, disrupting the germination process by stirring up the soil with their feet while foraging. Farmers are facing crop losses of up to 90 per cent read more A flock of Flamingos is seen in a flooded field that produce rice for risotto, in Jolanda Di Savoia, Italy, June 11, 2025. File Image/AP Northern Italy's prized risotto rice fields are under unexpected threat — not from disease or drought, but from flocks of flamingos that have begun wading into flooded rice paddies in Ferrara province, a key production region in the Emilia-Romagna area between Venice and Ravenna. These long-legged waders, better known for inhabiting coastal lagoons and salt marshes, have made their way inland and are now frequenting rice paddies critical to Italy's cherished risotto industry. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD While not known to feed on rice itself, the birds have become a significant source of disruption to cultivation. Their foraging behaviour — involving stirring shallow waters with their webbed feet to capture mollusks, algae, and insects — has caused widespread damage to germinating rice crops. As these paddies are deliberately flooded during late spring and early summer to support the initial growth of rice seeds, they have unintentionally created ideal conditions for the birds' feeding habits. Impact on farmers & field Farmers in the region have described the situation as unprecedented. According to Enrico Fabbri, a 63-year-old rice cultivator operating near Jolanda di Savoia, the losses have been devastating in certain plots. 'These are new things that have never happened before. You invest so much time and care into preparing everything,' he shared. 'Then, just as the crop begins to grow, it's like having a newborn child taken away. That's what it feels like.' In several of Fabbri's paddies, up to 90 per cent of the planted area has been lost, reported AP. While the birds are not targeting the rice itself, the collateral damage caused by their movement and feeding techniques is extensive. The fine-tuned balance of water, soil, and seed that supports Italy's short-grain rice varieties — essential for classic risotto dishes — is being compromised in the process. Attempts at deterrence end in failure Local farmers, desperate to salvage their harvests, have tried a range of deterrence methods. These include patrolling fields throughout the day and night, using truck horns, banging on metal barrels, and deploying small gas cannons that emit loud blasts. While these tactics sometimes force the flamingos to take flight, they often just relocate to nearby paddies and continue foraging there instead. 'There is a sense of helplessness,' said Massimo Piva, a 57-year-old rice farmer and vice-president of the local farmers' confederation. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD 'Obviously, we are looking for answers from those who have to deal with the problem. From an environmental point of view, all this is beautiful, but we must keep in mind that rice cultivation is among the most expensive, extensive crops.' Piva acknowledged the allure of the birds but emphasized the need to mitigate their growing presence. 'They are beautiful animals, it's their way of moving and behaving, but the problem is trying to limit their presence as much as possible.' Why flamingos are there in the first place The presence of flamingos in these agricultural zones is not entirely random. Their arrival in Ferrara is believed to be the result of broader environmental and migratory shifts. According to Roberto Tinarelli, an ornithologist and president of the Emilia-Romagna Ornithologists Association (AsOER), the flamingos began nesting in the Comacchio Valleys, a coastal wetland area between Ferrara and Ravenna, in the early 2000s. Their arrival there coincided with severe droughts in southern Spain, which historically served as a major breeding ground for the species. Forced to seek out more hospitable conditions, the flamingos began moving eastward, establishing colonies along Italy's northeastern coast, where freshwater and brackish environments are abundant. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD 'These birds had previously been more concentrated around North African lakes, parts of Spain, and a small portion of France's Camargue region,' Tinarelli explained. Since establishing themselves in Italy, the flamingos have adapted their range and are now venturing further inland, taking advantage of the rice paddies that mimic their natural feeding environments. While no definitive studies have yet explained why the birds have extended their foraging so deeply into agricultural territory, their inland incursion is being closely watched. So what's the solution? Rather than relying solely on noise or physical patrols to deter the birds, experts like Tinarelli are proposing more targeted and environmentally sensitive solutions. One such approach involves redesigning field perimeters to make them less inviting to flamingos. This could include surrounding rice paddies with tall trees or hedgerows, which would make it harder for the birds to land and wade comfortably. Perhaps most notably, Tinarelli has suggested a significant adjustment to water management in rice fields. 'This is sufficient for the rice to grow, but decidedly less attractive to flamingos, which must splash around in the water,' he said, referring to lowering the flood depth of newly planted paddies from the current standard of around 30 centimetres to somewhere between 5 and 10 centimetres. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD According to Tinarelli, such a change would still allow rice seeds to germinate while making the fields less suitable for flamingo feeding behaviour. At stake is more than just a seasonal harvest. The rice grown in this region — particularly varieties such as Arborio, Carnaroli, and Vialone Nano — forms the foundation of one of Italy's most globally recognised culinary exports: risotto. Chefs help serve risotto, a traditional Italian rice dish cooked with broth and flavoured with grated cheese and other ingredients, to people during a charity fundraiser in the town of Vittoriosa in Valletta's Grand Harbour, Malta, October 17, 2008. File Image/Reuters The creamy, slow-cooked dish is a staple of Italian cuisine and relies heavily on rice cultivated under highly specific conditions. As climate patterns shift and migratory routes change, the encroachment of wildlife into areas of human food production is likely to become more common. Also Watch: With inputs from AP
Telegraph
12-07-2025
- General
- Telegraph
Flamingos destroying Italian risotto rice crops
Risotto rice crops in Italy are under threat from flocks of hungry flamingos stirring up paddy fields with their webbed feet. Farmers have been forced to patrol around the clock to try to scare away the birds, who destroy rice seedlings when they stir up the soil in the flooded fields before snatching up molluscs, algae and insects. Enrivo Fabbri, who farms in Ferrara province, between Venice and Ravenna, estimates he has lost as much as 90 per cent of production in some fields because of the birds. 'It's like losing a newborn' 'These are new things that have never happened before. You invest so much time and care into preparing everything,' Mr Fabbri, 63, said at one of his paddies on the outskirts of Jolanda di Savoia. 'Then, just as the crop begins to grow, it's like having a newborn child taken away. That's what it feels like.' Farmers have been banging barrels and honking truck horns in an effort to scare off the flamingos. Some even deploy small gas cannons that make booming noises. However, the flamingos simply fly off before settling in another nearby paddy field to feed. Rice farmers flood their fields for a few weeks from late spring to early summer to germinate newly planted seeds. Until the paddies are drained, the flamingos are a threat to the crops. The flamingos appear to have come from former nesting grounds in the nearby Comacchio valleys, a wetlands reserve where the River Po flows into the Adriatic Sea. Roberto Tinarelli, the president of AsOER, the Emilia-Romagna ornithologists' association, said the birds had been coming there since 2000, after drought in southern Spain sent them searching for nesting grounds further east. 'They are beautiful, but we must limit them' Previously, the flamingos had been based in lakes in north Africa, parts of Spain and some of the Camargue region in France, Mr Tinarelli said. There has been no research yet into why the flamingos started seeking food farther inland. 'Obviously, we are looking for answers from those who have to deal with the problem. From an environmental point of view, all this is beautiful, but we must keep in mind that rice cultivation is among the most expensive crops,' Massimo Piva, a 57-year-old rice grower and vice-president of the local farmers' confederation, said. 'They are beautiful animals, it's their way of moving and behaving, but the problem is trying to limit their presence as much as possible.' Mr Tinarelli has suggested several solutions to the problem, including surrounding paddies with tall trees or hedges. He added that reducing water levels on freshly planted paddies to between two to four inches rather than 12 inches would help. 'This is sufficient for the rice to grow, but decidedly less attractive to flamingos, which must splash around in the water,' he said.
Arab News
09-07-2025
- Science
- Arab News
What We Are Reading Today: ‘Birds of the Tropical Andes'
Authors: Owen Deutsch & Michael J. Parr Spanning much of the western part of South America, the Andes are home to some of the world's most magnificent birds, from exquisite hummingbirds to fabulous flamingos. This beautifully illustrated large-format book celebrates the splendor and extraordinary diversity of Andean birds and the habitats they depend on. It draws on the latest findings from the field and sheds light on the lush alpine and forested terrains that make this avifauna so rich and plentiful.
India.com
02-07-2025
- Lifestyle
- India.com
7 Unknown Facts About Flamingos
Muskan Kalra Jul 01, 2025 Flamingos aren't born pink; they're grey or white as chicks. Their pink color comes from food, mainly shrimp and algae. They often stand on one leg, and it helps them rest and stay warm. Flamingos can sleep while standing and even on one leg. They live in large flocks and sometimes with thousands of birds. Their beaks are built for filter feeding, like upside-down strainers. Flamingos can fly and also migrate long distances when needed. Read Next Story
India.com
27-06-2025
- General
- India.com
Before The Glow Up: 8 Baby Animals That Are Unrecognizable From Their Parents
photoDetails english 2922960 8 Baby Animals That Are Unrecognizable From Their Parents" highlights these 8 fascinating transformations in the animal kingdom. From fuzzy owlets to wrinkly elephant calves, these baby creatures look nothing like their adult counterparts. These feature celebrates nature's surprising makeovers, revealing how growth and time turn awkward, unusual-looking newborns into majestic adults, showcasing the wonders of evolution, adaptation, and survival in the wild. Updated:Jun 27, 2025, 12:21 PM IST Tapirs 1 / 8 Tapirs Babies have brown with white spots and stripes (like a watermelon or a fawn) and adults are in solid dark brown or black with a distinctive light saddle (in some species). They are different from each other because their camouflage helps them blend into the forest floor, while adults rely more on size and stealth. Harlequin Filefish 2 / 8 Harlequin Filefish There baby is of bright orange with bold black and blue markings. Adult is of color Pale blue with subtle markings and elongated snouts. They are so different because of their bold colors as babies help them hide among stinging corals; adults rely on camouflage and defense mechanisms. Elephants 3 / 8 Elephants Their babies are wrinkled, fluffy, and often pinkish behind the ears. And adults are much larger in size, with tougher, grey skin and more defined features like tusks and massive ears. They are so different as infants have a more delicate appearance and are born with some hair, which becomes less visible over time. Frogs 4 / 8 Frogs (e.g., Bullfrogs) Baby (Tadpole) are fish-like, no legs, with gills and a tail and adults are legged amphibians with lungs and no tail. They are so different from their parents because of their complete metamorphosis from aquatic to semi-terrestrial form, that makes them look like entirely different species. Peacocks 5 / 8 Peacocks Their chick is dull brown and yellow in color, completely lacking the long tail feathers. And adult (Male) are in vivid blues and greens with the famous iridescent tail train. They are so different from each other as Chicks need camouflage to survive predators, while adults use color and feathers for mating. Wild Boars 6 / 8 Wild Boars Their piglet is striped like a chipmunk and they are light brown in color with horizontal stripes and adults are of solid dark brown or black in color and much hairier. They are so different from their parents as their stripes act as camouflage in forest underbrush. Silvered Leaf Monkeys 7 / 8 Silvered Leaf Monkeys Their baby is bright orange in color and adults are silvery-grey fur and black faces. They are so different from each other because of their orange color, that may make babies more visible to the group, encouraging care from multiple adults. Flamingos 8 / 8 Flamingos Their chick is grey or white in color and fluffy and adult is bright pink due to diet, as they eat shrimp and algae rich in carotenoids. They are so different because they only turn pink after months of eating the right food.
