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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
© 2024 - Birdfact
Resident
Breeding
Non-breeding
Passage
Vagrant

Distribution by Region

Species that can be found in the area throughout the year
Angola Armenia Azerbaijan Bangladesh Burundi Cambodia Cape Verde Comoros Cyprus Djibouti Eritrea Ethiopia France Gambia Gibraltar Greece Guinea Guinea-Bissau India Iran Israel Italy Kenya Kuwait Libya Madagascar Malawi Maldives Morocco Mozambique Nepal Oman Pakistan Qatar Russia Sao Tome and Principe Saudi Arabia Seychelles Sierra Leone Somalia Spain Sri Lanka Syria Tanzania Tunisia Turkey Turkmenistan Uganda United Arab Emirates Uzbekistan Western Sahara Yemen Zambia Zimbabwe
Species that are present in the area during their breeding season
Afghanistan Algeria Botswana Egypt Kazakhstan Mauritania Namibia Senegal South Africa
Species that are present in the area outside their breeding season
Bahrain Iraq Jordan Macedonia Palestine Portugal Russia Slovenia
Species that pass through the area during migration
Lebanon Sudan
Species that appear infrequently (rare) and unpredictably outside their normal range
Austria Belarus Belgium Bulgaria Cameroon China Congo Croatia Czechia Democratic Republic of the Congo Denmark Equatorial Guinea Eswatini Finland Germany Hungary Kyrgyzstan Latvia Lesotho Malta Mauritius Mongolia Montenegro Niger Norway Poland Réunion Romania Serbia Slovakia Sweden Switzerland Tajikistan The United Kingdom

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Behaviour and Ecology

Bird Attributes

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Bird Attributes Explained

Our bird attributes system rates various aspects of a bird's capabilities on a scale of 0-100, based on data from field observations, scientific studies, and expert knowledge.

Attribute Categories:
  • Agility: Manoeuvrability, speed, and grace in flight or movement.
  • Strength: Physical power, often correlating with size and hunting abilities.
  • Adaptability: Ability to thrive in various environments or changing conditions.
  • Aggressiveness: Territorial behaviour and assertiveness, particularly during breeding seasons.
  • Endurance: Stamina, often seen in migration patterns or foraging behaviours.

Understanding the Ratings:

  • 0-20: Very Low
  • 21-40: Low
  • 41-60: Average
  • 61-80: High
  • 81-100: Very High

Remember, these attributes are relative to other bird species and don't necessarily indicate superiority.

Tap the icon next to each attribute for more information.

Agility 75

Agility

Reflects the bird's manoeuvrability, speed, and grace in flight or movement.

Greater Flamingos display considerable agility in their wading and feeding behaviours, manoeuvring gracefully through shallow waters. Their long necks and legs allow for precise movements, particularly during their elaborate courtship displays.

Strength 60

Strength

Indicates the bird's physical power, often correlating with size and hunting abilities.

Whilst not known for brute strength, Greater Flamingos possess moderate strength relative to their size. Their ability to stand on one leg for extended periods and perform synchronised movements during courtship indicates a fair degree of muscular strength.

Adaptability 85

Adaptability

Represents the bird's ability to thrive in various environments or changing conditions.

These birds demonstrate remarkable adaptability, thriving in diverse habitats from sea level to 4000 metres elevation. Their ability to feed in near-boiling geothermal lakes and tolerate highly saline environments showcases their impressive adaptive capabilities.

Aggressiveness 40

Aggressiveness

Measures the bird's territorial behaviour and assertiveness, particularly during breeding seasons.

Greater Flamingos are generally not aggressive birds. They are highly social, forming large flocks, and their elaborate courtship displays focus more on cooperation than competition. However, they may display some aggression when protecting nests or competing for mates.

Endurance 80

Endurance

Reflects the bird's stamina, often seen in migration patterns or foraging behaviours.

With their ability to undertake long migrations, stand for extended periods, and survive in harsh environments, Greater Flamingos exhibit considerable endurance. Their long lifespan of 20-30 years in the wild also suggests robust stamina and resilience.

Diet

Greater Flamingos feed primarily on small aquatic invertebrates, algae, and seeds. Their specialised bills act as filters, straining food particles from water and mud.

They often feed with their heads upside-down, using their tongues to pump water through their bills. Less commonly they can also feed whilst swimming.

Behaviour

Greater Flamingos are highly social, often gathering in large flocks of thousands. They perform elaborate courtship displays, including synchronised head movements and wing-spreading.

When feeding, they wade through shallow water, swinging their heads from side to side to filter small organisms from the water.

Vocalisation

Greater Flamingos produce a variety of vocalisations, including loud, goose-like honking calls. During courtship, they emit nasal 'ka-hank' sounds. Chicks in the crèche make high-pitched peeping noises to communicate with their parents. The overall effect of a large flock calling can be quite noisy and distinctive.

Nesting & Breeding

Greater Flamingos breed in large colonies, often numbering thousands of pairs. Courtship begins with elaborate group displays, after which pairs form and separate from the group. Breeding typically occurs between March and July, depending on the location.

Nests are built as mud mounds in shallow water. The female lays a single chalky white egg, which both parents incubate for about 27-31 days. The nest mound is crucial for protecting the egg from flooding.

Chicks are born with grey down and straight bills, which curve as they grow. They remain in the nest for about a week before joining a crèche with other young flamingos. Fledging occurs after 65-90 days.

Conservation and Status

Global Conservation Status

Least Concern [1]

While currently listed as Least Concern, Greater Flamingos face threats from habitat loss, pollution, and human disturbance. Conservation efforts focus on protecting breeding sites and maintaining suitable wetland habitats. Climate change and water management practices pose potential long-term challenges to their populations.

Population Data

Global Population Estimate

550,000 - 680,000 mature individuals [2]

Global Population Trend

Trend data may be uncertain or fluctuating

Birdwatching Tips

  • Look for large flocks in shallow, saline or alkaline waters
  • Observe their distinctive feeding behaviour with heads upside-down in the water
  • Listen for loud, goose-like honking calls
  • Visit coastal lagoons or salt pans in southern Europe or Africa for the best viewing opportunities
  • In flight, the neck is extended forward in a straight line, and the legs assume an almost mirror image trailing backwards

Additional Information

Quick Facts

Other names:

European Flamingo, Rosy Flamingo

Average Lifespan

20 to 30 years

Predators

Adult Greater Flamingos have few natural predators, but eggs and chicks are vulnerable to birds of prey, gulls, and some mammals like foxes and jackals.

Did You Know?

  1. Flamingos get their pink colour from the carotenoid pigments in the algae and small creatures they eat.
  2. They can drink water at near-boiling point from geothermal lakes.
  3. A group of flamingos is called a 'flamboyance'.

References

  1. 1

    website: BirdLife International. 2019. Phoenicopterus roseus (amended version of 2018 assessment). The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2019: e.T22697360A155527405.

    View source
  2. 2 3

    report, 2015: Wetlands International

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