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Greater Flamingo Phoenicopterus Roseus

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Greater Flamingo

Appearance: - The Greater Flamingo is the largest species of Flamingo. The plumage is pinkish white, primary and secondary flight feathers are black and wing coverts are red, the beak is pink with a restrictive black tip, pink skin from the eye to the beak, and the legs and webbed feet are pink. The eyes are yellow coloured. Both sexes are alike but the male is slightly larger.

Size: - Typical Adult is 110-150cm (43-59in).

Food: - Algae, diatoms, crustaceans, shrimp, and insects. Flamingos feed by putting their large beak upside down in the water and use their tongue and beak to suck in and filter food from the mud and water.

Habitat/Range: - Wetlands, brackish lakes, lagoons, mudflats and estuaries in parts of Africa, southern Asia (Bangladesh and coastal regions of Pakistan and India), the Middle East (Cyprus, Israel) and southern Europe (Spain, Albania, Greece, Turkey, Portugal, Italy and the Camargue region of France). Great Flamingos in Asia may migrate to warmer climates if the weather is bad.

Greater Flamingo Map
Breeding Habitat/Resident,    Migration or Winter Area.



Breeding Season: - April to August.

Eggs: - 1 (chalky-white colour).

Notes: - The large Greater Flamingo is closely related to the American and Chilean Flamingo. It is the most widespread species of Flamingo. The Flamingos characteristic pink colouring is caused by the beta carotene in their diet.

Conservation status (IUCN 3.1):
  Least Concern.  

Classification: - Family: Phoenicopteridae,
Genus: Phoenicopterus.

Greater Flamingo video:


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Greater Flamingo
Greater Flamingo (Phoenicopterus Roseus)





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