🐦

Greater Flamingo

Phoenicopterus roseus

Least Concern
Panjang
130,0 cm
Rentang Sayap
160,0 cm
Berat
3500,0 g
Famili
Phoenicopteridae
Ordo
Phoenicopteriformes

The pink of the Greater Flamingo is not innate but drawn from its food: carotenoid pigments in the algae, diatoms, brine shrimp, and small crustaceans it filters from shallow alkaline and saline water. The largest flamingo species, it is predominantly white-pink with crimson wing coverts revealed in flight, long pink legs, a sinuous neck, and a downward-bent, black-tipped bill built for filter feeding. It gathers on alkaline lakes, coastal lagoons, mudflats, and salt pans across Africa, southern Europe, the Middle East, and the Indian subcontinent, requiring large undisturbed areas to breed. One to three eggs are incubated for 27 to 31 days, with young fledging between 71 and 98 days. Colonies keep up a loud, goose-like honking chorus. The species is classified as Least Concern.

Tentang

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.

Physical Description

Measurement Value Imperial
Body Length 130,0 cm 51.2 in
Rentang Sayap 160,0 cm 63.0 in
Berat 3500,0 g 123.46 oz

Identifikasi

Bulu

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.

Paruh

Large, downward-bent bill — pink with a black tip, adapted for filter feeding

Habitat & Range

Shallow alkaline or saline lakes, coastal lagoons, mudflats, and salt pans. Requires large undisturbed areas for breeding colonies.

Rentang Geografis

Africa, southern Europe, the Middle East, and the Indian subcontinent. Irregular visitor to northern Europe.

Diet & Feeding

Algae, diatoms, brine shrimp, and small crustaceans filtered from shallow alkaline or saline water. Carotenoid pigments in food produce the pink coloration.

Status Konservasi

Least Concern
IUCN Red List

Perilaku & Berkembang Biak

Bersarang

Nest type: CP,HC. Incubation: 27-31 days. Fledging: 71-98 days.

Ukuran Sarang

1-3

Suara

Kicauan

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.

Taksonomi

Kingdom Animalia
Phylum Chordata
Class Aves
Ordo Phoenicopteriformes (Flamingos)
Famili Phoenicopteridae (Flamingos)
Genus Phoenicopterus
Spesies Phoenicopterus roseus

Names in Other Languages

Language Name
German Rosaflamingo
Spanish Flamenco Común

Distribution

Greater Flamingo has been recorded in 7 countries.

{# Distribution Map — simplified SVG world map with highlighted countries. Expects `country_codes` variable: list of ISO alpha-2 codes (e.g. ["US", "CA", "MX"]). Uses Alpine.js to toggle classes on country paths. #}
Hadir Not recorded
{# Simplified country/region shapes — major landmasses with ISO alpha-2 data attributes. These are simplified polygon representations for visual distribution display. #}

countries highlighted

External Databases

Pertanyaan yang Sering Diajukan

What does the Greater Flamingo eat?
Algae, diatoms, brine shrimp, and small crustaceans filtered from shallow alkaline or saline water. Carotenoid pigments in food produce the pink coloration.
Where does the Greater Flamingo live?
Shallow alkaline or saline lakes, coastal lagoons, mudflats, and salt pans. Requires large undisturbed areas for breeding colonies.
Is the Greater Flamingo endangered?
The Greater Flamingo has a conservation status of Least Concern.
How does the Greater Flamingo nest?
Nest type: CP,HC. Incubation: 27-31 days. Fledging: 71-98 days.
What does the Greater Flamingo sound like?
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.
How big is the Greater Flamingo?
The Greater Flamingo has a body length of 130.0 cm, wingspan of 160.0 cm, weight of 3500.0 g.
What order and family does the Greater Flamingo belong to?
The Greater Flamingo (Phoenicopterus roseus) belongs to the order Phoenicopteriformes and the family Phoenicopteridae.

Similar Birds

Other species in the Phoenicopteridae family

Bandingkan

Explore More

Explore the Nature FYI Family