Birds · Wading Birds
American Flamingo
Phoenicopterus ruber
Least Concern
Flamingos are tall wading birds found in shallow lakes and lagoons across Africa, the Americas, and parts of Asia and Europe, instantly recognized by their pink plumage, long legs, and distinctively curved bill.
Classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Aves
Order: Phoenicopteriformes
Family: Phoenicopteridae
Genus: Phoenicopterus
Species: ruber
Related species: Greater, lesser & Chilean flamingos — family Phoenicopteridae
Height
3.3–5 feet, depending on species.
Weight
4–8 lbs.
Habitat
Shallow saline and alkaline lakes, lagoons, and mudflats.
Description
Vivid pink plumage, long thin legs, an S-curved neck, and a distinctively downturned bill.
Diet
Omnivore — algae, small crustaceans, and mollusks.
Feeding
Filter-feeds by holding its bill upside-down in the water, pumping water through comb-like lamellae.
Coloration
Pink pigments come entirely from carotenoids in its algae- and crustacean-rich diet.
One-Legged Stance
Often stands and sleeps on one leg, thought to help conserve body heat.
Social Structure
Highly social — forms colonies from dozens to over a million birds.
Clutch Size
A single egg, laid atop a raised mud nest.
Sexually Mature
Around 3–6 years of age.
Life Span
20–30 years in the wild.
Did You Know?
Flamingos are born gray or white and only turn pink from pigments in their food.
Did You Know?
Standing on one leg may help flamingos conserve body heat in cold water.
Did You Know?
Flamingo colonies can number over a million birds at some of the largest lake sites in East Africa.
Types of Flamingos
American Flamingo
Phoenicopterus ruber — brightest pink plumage
Phoenicopterus ruber — brightest pink plumage
Greater Flamingo
Phoenicopterus roseus — most widespread species
Phoenicopterus roseus — most widespread species
Lesser Flamingo
Phoeniconaias minor — smallest and most numerous species
Phoeniconaias minor — smallest and most numerous species
Chilean Flamingo
Phoenicopterus chilensis — found across South America
Phoenicopterus chilensis — found across South America
Andean Flamingo
Phoenicoparrus andinus — rarest flamingo species
Phoenicoparrus andinus — rarest flamingo species
Flamingo in Foreign Languages
Frenchflamant
GermanFlamingo
Italianfenicottero
Portugueseflamingo
Spanishflamenco
Russianflamingo
Polishflaming
Japanesefuramingo
Mandarinhuǒhè
Koreanpeulraeming
Dutchflamingo
Swedishflamingo
Norwegianflamingo
Finnishflamingo
