Greater Flamingo vs Resplendent Quetzal
Phoenicopterus roseus compared with Pharomachrus mocinno
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | Greater Flamingo | Resplendent Quetzal |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Phoenicopterus roseus | Pharomachrus mocinno |
| Order | Phoenicopteriformes | Trogoniformes |
| Family | Phoenicopteridae | Trogonidae |
| Conservation Status | Least Concern | Near Threatened |
| Length | 130.0 cm (51.2 in) | 36.0 cm (14.2 in) |
| Wingspan | 160.0 cm (63.0 in) | 50.0 cm (19.7 in) |
| Weight | 3500.0 g (123.46 oz) | 210.0 g (7.41 oz) |
| Diet | Algae, diatoms, brine shrimp, and small crustaceans filtered from shallow alkaline or saline water. Carotenoid … | Primarily wild avocados and other laurel family fruits, supplemented with insects, lizards, and frogs. A … |
| Clutch Size | 1-3 | 1-2 |
| Population Trend | — | — |
Size Comparison
Habitat Comparison
Shared Habitats
None
Greater Flamingo only
Resplendent Quetzal only
Greater Flamingo
Shallow alkaline or saline lakes, coastal lagoons, mudflats, and salt pans. Requires large undisturbed areas for breeding colonies.
Resplendent Quetzal
Montane cloud forests at elevations between 1,200 and 3,000 meters. Requires old-growth forest with dead trees for nesting cavities.
Song & Call Comparison
Greater Flamingo
Loud, nasal goose-like honking 'ka-ha' calls, often in chorus at breeding colonies. Also gives softer gabbling and grunting sounds while feeding and preening.
Resplendent Quetzal
Melodious, repetitive cooing: a series of 'kowee-kowee-kowee' or 'woh-woh-woh-woh' phrases. Male sings from high exposed perches in cloud forest canopy. Evocative highland call.
Geographic Range & Migration
Greater Flamingo
Africa, southern Europe, the Middle East, and the Indian subcontinent. Irregular visitor to northern Europe.
Resplendent Quetzal
Southern Mexico through Central America to western Panama. Resident in mountain cloud forests.
Conservation Status
Greater Flamingo
Resplendent Quetzal
How to Tell Them Apart
Greater Flamingo
Predominantly white-pink plumage with bright crimson-pink wing coverts revealed in flight. Long pink legs and a sinuous neck. Intensity of color depends on diet.
Large, downward-bent bill — pink with a black tip, adapted for filter feeding
Resplendent Quetzal
Males have iridescent emerald-green upperparts, a crimson-red breast, and extraordinarily long green tail coverts streaming up to 65 cm beyond the tail. Females are duller with grey breasts.
Short, broad, bright yellow bill partially hidden by green feathers
About These Birds
Greater Flamingo
The greater flamingo is the most widespread flamingo species and one of the most recognizable birds in the world. Their pink color comes entirely from carotenoid pigments in their crustacean and algal diet. Flamingos are social birds that breed in enormous colonies sometimes numbering tens of thousands.
Resplendent Quetzal
The resplendent quetzal was considered divine by the Maya and Aztec civilizations, associated with the feathered serpent god Quetzalcoatl. Its iridescent green plumage and long tail streamers make it one of the most beautiful birds in the world. Guatemala's currency is named after this bird.