The pale pink birds — called “fenicotteri” in Italian — are now flocking to Venice in record numbers, as ecological efforts to restore damaged wetlands could help expand their habitat and possibly induce them to nest in the lagoon.

Flamingos are flocking to the Venetian Lagoon in record numbers as ecological efforts restore damaged wetlands.

Flamingos are flocking to the Venetian Lagoon in record numbers as ecological efforts restore damaged wetlands

Perhaps nothing better illustrates the flamingo’s status as a newcomer than the fact that the local dialect has no word for them.