Greater Flamingo
NameGreater Flamingo
Common NameGreater Flamingo
Scientific NamePhoenicopterus roseus
FamilyPhoenicopteridae
Wingspan (cm)155
Length (cm)135
Weight (g)3000
Plumage DetailsPredominantly pale pink to whitish plumage, with brighter pink wing coverts and black primary and secondary flight feathers visible in flight. The long legs are bright pink, and the large, bent bill is pink with a prominent black tip.
Vocalization / CallVocalizations include loud, goose-like honking calls, grunts, and growls, especially when in large flocks. These calls are often used for communication within the colony.
Primary Dietomnivore
Primary Habitatslakes, lagoons, estuaries, coastal mudflats, salt pans
Conservation Statusleast-concern
Geographic RangeFound in parts of Africa, southern Europe (including the Mediterranean region), and southwestern Asia, extending to India. It inhabits a wide range of saline and brackish wetlands across this vast range.
Identifying Featuresvery long pink legs, long S-shaped neck, large bent pink bill with black tip, pale pink to white plumage, large size, pink wing coverts
Description
The Greater Flamingo is a large, elegant wading bird characterized by its extremely long, slender pink legs and a long, S-shaped neck. It uses its distinctive bent bill to filter-feed in shallow saline or brackish waters, often seen in large flocks. This species is the largest and most widespread of all flamingo species.
