Another major Yucatan flamingo colony interrelated to Celestun can be found at Rio Lagartos on the peninsula's remote and less-developed northern coast.

About 200 miles from Celestun by car, Rio Lagartos is home to as many as 20,000 birds during August's peak breeding season. Breeding flamingos will begin leaving the Celestun area for Rio Lagartos in mid- to late-April and then return around October. Nonbreeding flamingos will remain in Celestun year-round.

Nearer to Cancun and the Mexican Riviera, Rio Lagartos offers visitors a great day-trip opportunity or overnighter by rental car.

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Fast fact: In the pink

If beta carotene is reduced or eliminated from a flamingo's diet, its pink color fades to nearly white. In zoos, parks and aviaries, bird keepers augment their menus with alternative sources of beta carotene to keep their birds "in the pink."

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