The greater flamingo (or Phoenicopterus roseus) is a large species of migratory bird that is widespread across Europe, the Middle East, Asia and Africa. It lives on the mudflats and coastal lagoons of temperate and warm environments, and is a filter feeder which uses its beak to stir up mud and filter out algae, invertebrates and seeds. Male and female flamingos look the same with pale-pink to orange-pink feathers, pink legs, a pink beak with a black tip, and often brighter pink patches on their wings. They also have black flight feathers, measure between 110 and 150cm tall, and weigh between 2 and 4kg.
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Phoenicopterus roseus
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greater-flamingo
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Animal Facts
Flamingos develop their pink colouration from the food they eat; they accumulate carotenoid pigments in their feathers from the algae and invertebrates they feed upon.
Parent flamingos can identify their chick's cry from within a crowd of thousands of other flamingos.
Flamingos are born with straight beaks; the beak starts to curve when they are 1 month old and allows them to filter feed.
Flamingos often stand on one leg and also do this when sleeping. This is believed to be to prevent heat loss; only one leg is exposed to cold air or water.
The earliest forms of flamingos are seen 40 million years ago in the fossil record.