Greater Flamingo

Phoenicopterus roseus

Generally living in large flocks, this instantly recognisable bird is one of the largest and most widespread of all flamingos.

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Visual Identification

Appearance

The Greater Flamingo is a striking bird with a long, sinuous neck and legs. Its plumage ranges from pale pink to rosy red, with black flight feathers visible when wings are spread. The large, downward-curved bill is pink with a black tip.

Males and females are identical in plumage colouring and patternation, but the female is up to one-fifth smaller overall.

Juveniles are greyish-white, gradually acquiring pink plumage as they mature. Adults become more intensely coloured during the breeding season, their feathers taking on a deeper pink hue.

Size

Length

120cm to 145cm

Wingspan

140cm to 165cm

Weight

2kg to 4kg

Colours

Males and females have similar plumage

Primary Colour

Pink

Secondary Colour

White Red

Beak Colour

Pink Black

Leg Colour

Pink

Habitat and Distribution

Habitats

Woodland

The Greater Flamingo is not typically found in Woodland habitats.

Garden

The Greater Flamingo is not typically found in Garden habitats.

Wetland

The Greater Flamingo can be found in Wetland habitats.

Coastal

The Greater Flamingo can be found in Coastal habitats.

Urban

The Greater Flamingo is not typically found in Urban habitats.

Farmland

The Greater Flamingo is not typically found in Farmland habitats.

Grassland

The Greater Flamingo is not typically found in Grassland habitats.

Desert

The Greater Flamingo is not typically found in Desert habitats.

Tundra

The Greater Flamingo is not typically found in Tundra habitats.

Rainforest

The Greater Flamingo is not typically found in Rainforest habitats.

Mountain

The Greater Flamingo is not typically found in Mountain habitats.

Savanna

The Greater Flamingo is not typically found in Savanna habitats.

Distribution

Greater Flamingos inhabit shallow, saline or alkaline lakes, lagoons, and coastal areas across parts of Africa, southern Europe, and southwest Asia. They prefer warm climates and are particularly abundant in the Mediterranean region and parts of Africa.

Some populations migrate to warmer areas during winter, while others remain resident year-round. In Europe, they can be found in Spain, France, and Italy, with occasional sightings in the UK.

Elevation Range

Sea level to 4,000 meters

Climate zones

Tropical, Subtropical, Mediterranean

Distribution Map

This map gives you a rough idea of where you might spot a Greater Flamingo. The coloured areas show countries where these birds have been seen.

A few things to keep in mind:

Birds might not be everywhere in the coloured areas, for example, they may be present around the coast of that country
Where birds live can change with seasons and available food
This map is quite simple - it doesn't show exact locations

We're working on making our maps even better! Soon, we hope to show you:

More detailed maps for bigger countries, including state and region
How birds move around during different seasons