The Camargue wildlife

The birds of the Camargue

The Camargue is home to a great diversity of birds, including many rare or protected species.

The area is an important refuge for wetland birds and migratory species. The atlas of the Syndicat Mixte de la Camargue Gardoise currently lists 240 bird species.

The pink flamingos, symbols of the region, offer a fascinating spectacle when they gather in colonies. During courtship displays, the birds perform synchronized movements, spread their wings and stretch their necks in an impressive choreography.

But the Camargue is not limited to flamingos : herons, egrets, ducks, black-winged stilts, glossy ibises and many other species frequent the marshes and ponds. In autumn and winter, many migratory birds also stop here.

The Camargue horse

A living icon of the region, the Camargue horse is recognizable by its light grey coat in adulthood. Foals are generally born bay or brown before gradually becoming lighter. It stands between 1.35 and 1.50 m at the withers and is distinguished by its hardiness and endurance, perfectly suited to the particular conditions of the Camargue marshes and pastures.

Raised outdoors and extensively, it lives in close contact with natural environments and feeds mainly on pasture. This hardiness also makes it a valuable aid for working with herds and maintaining certain areas.

Officially recognized as a breed since 1978, the Camargue horse is now inseparable from the image of the territory. It notably accompanies the gardians and manadiers in working with herds and takes part in the region’s equestrian and bull-related traditions.

The Camargue bull

The Camargue bull, or Raço di Biòu, is one of the great symbols of the territory. Recognizable by its slender build, very dark coat, fine head and lyre-shaped horns, it is particularly well adapted to the marshes, salt meadows and pastures where it lives in herds, within the manades.

Its breeding is mainly extensive and contributes both to the cultural identity and to the balance of the landscapes. The grazing of bulls and horses helps maintain open environments and the diversity of the species that live there.

The Camargue bull is also at the heart of the Camargue bull-running tradition, an emblematic tradition of the territory. Horseback gardians ensure the movement and handling of the herds, perpetuating skills passed down through generations. The Camargue breed, known as Raço di Biòu, has been officially recognized since 1999.

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