An American Flamingo (Phoenicopterus ruber) was spotted at the Estero Negro community near San Clemente Beach, Limón Province, the National System of Conservation Areas (Sinac) documented.

According to specialists, this is the first time the pink bird has been spotted in Costa Rica. "The unique wild bird probably flew to Limón shore pushed by high winds associated with recent hurricanes and cyclones along the Caribbean Coast," said Maylin Mora, Regional Director of the Amistad-Caribbean Conservation Area.

Authorities advise people to take the following measures if they encounter a similar specimen:

• Keep a considerable distance from the bird.

• Do not disturb the bird.

• If you are strolling with a dog, keep the dog on a leash and avoid walking near the bird.

• If you see a bird along the coast, avoid approaching it with a boat.

• Don't feed the bird.

• Avoid making loud noises near the bird.

The American flamingo is considered an iconic symbol of the State of Florida in the United States.

It is also known as the Caribbean flamingo because it is a species native to the West Indies in the Caribbean Sea, from northern South America (including the Galápagos Islands) to the Yucatán Peninsula in Mexico.

These flamingos are one of the largest species of flamingo with an average adult being 5 feet tall and weighing 4-8 pounds. Their plumage is a distinctive pink color with black flight feathers along the edges of the wings. They have a slender body, very long legs, a long, flexible neck and a small head. Their bill has a characteristic downward bend.

Compared with its long legs, a flamingo's feet are relatively small. The front three toes are webbed, and the back toe is either tiny or missing altogether. Flamingos walk easily and can run when threatened.

These exotic birds usually live in the shallows of salt or brackish water or alkaline lakes. They usually feed while wading in shallows, using their feet to stir up mud on the bottom. They eat algae, small seeds and aquatic invertebrates such as brine, fly larvae, shrimp and mollusks.

Flamingos are very social birds with some flocks numbering in the thousands.

In May, some Emu birds (Dromaius novaehollandiae), flightless Australian species, were rescued from captivity in Cartago Province.

The National System of Conservation Areas (Sinac), is the state-owned agency in charge of managing all national parks and protected areas in the country.