About
The Greater Flamingo is an icon of elegance in the avian world. Standing up to 150 cm tall, these stunning birds are instantly recognizable by their pink plumage, long sinuous necks, and distinctive downward-bent bills. Their color comes from carotenoid pigments in their diet of brine shrimp and algae — without these pigments, flamingos would be white. Large flocks create one of nature's most spectacular visual displays, especially during synchronized courtship rituals.
Conservation Status
Least Concern
Physical Characteristics
Wingspan
140–170 cm
Length
120–150 cm
Weight
2–4 kg
Ecology
Habitat
Shallow alkaline or saline lakes, lagoons, mudflats, coastal wetlands
Diet
Brine shrimp, algae, crustaceans, molluscs
Distribution
Africa, Southern Europe, South and Southwest Asia