Greater Flamingo
Least ConcernPhoenicopterus roseus
Visual Identification
Greater Flamingo
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
Garden
Wetland
Coastal
Urban
Farmland
Grassland
Desert
Tundra
Rainforest
Mountain
Savanna
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
Distribution by Region
Behaviour and Ecology
Bird Attributes
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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.
Lifespan
years
The Greater Flamingo typically lives for 20 to 30 years.
Like all birds, lifespan can be affected by factors including predation, habitat quality, disease, and access to food sources.
Conservation and Status
Global Conservation Status
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.
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
Family:
PhoenicopteridaePredators
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?
- Flamingos get their pink colour from the carotenoid pigments in the algae and small creatures they eat.
- They can drink water at near-boiling point from geothermal lakes.
- A group of flamingos is called a 'flamboyance'.
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References
- 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 3
report, 2015: Wetlands International