Andean Flamingo

Approximately 18,000 flamingos that hatched two months ago in the İzmir Bird Sanctuary, one of the world's leading artificial breeding islands, began to flap their wings in the "nursery" to fly.

İzmir is one of two breeding sites for flamingos during winter in Turkey. (Source: AA)

Flamingos in Van Lake, in Turkey's east, have started their migration to Africa as winter approaches.

Tens of thousands of flamingos hatching from their eggs in Turkey's Salt Lake, one of the world's premier nesting grounds for the colorful species, offers a dazzling visual feast.

Tens of thousands of flamingos hatching from their eggs in Turkey's Salt Lake, one of the world's premier nesting grounds for the colorful species, offers a dazzling visual feast.        

As water evaporated up to 270 meters within 12 days, the number of dead flamingos in Lake Tuz, which is home to the largest flamingo colony in Mediterranean countries, has reached 50.

Nature Association General Director Engin Yılmaz said the number of hatching flamingos was 22,000 in 2013 and dropped to 2,650 in 2014.