Greater Flamingo
NameGreater Flamingo
Common NameGreater Flamingo
Scientific NamePhoenicopterus roseus
FamilyPhoenicopteridae
Wingspan (cm)155
Length (cm)130
Weight (g)3000
Plumage DetailsPredominantly pale pinkish-white plumage, with brighter rose-pink wing coverts and black primary and secondary flight feathers, which are most visible in flight. The long, slender legs are 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 or during courtship displays.
Primary Dietomnivore
Primary Habitatscoastal lagoons, estuaries, salt pans, large saline and alkaline lakes, mudflats
Conservation Statusleast-concern
Geographic RangeWidely distributed across parts of Africa, southern Europe (particularly the Mediterranean region), and southwestern Asia.
Identifying Featuresvery large size, pale pink plumage, long, slender pink legs, long, flexible neck, large, bent pink bill with black tip, black flight feathers visible in flight
Description
The Greater Flamingo is a large, elegant wading bird characterized by its exceptionally long legs, long neck, and distinctive downward-curved bill. These highly social birds are often seen in large flocks in shallow coastal and inland waters, where they filter-feed on small aquatic organisms.
