Page 90 - Complete Birds of Britain and Europe (DK - RSPB)

FLAMINGOS
Order Phoenicopteriformes Family Phoenicopteridae Species Phoenicopterus ruber
Greater Flamingo

whitish to pale
black wingtips
red patch on pink plumage
narrow wings
outstretched neck
ADULT
bright pink bill
IN FLIGHT with black tip

greyish extremely
body grey long, pale long neck
bill pink legs

dark grey
legs

IMMATURE ADULT
lamingos, of which there are a handful of species worldwide, are
Finstantly recognizable.The downcurved bill, long neck, long legs, FLIGHT: direct, quick, with neck outstretched and
and red-splashed wings of the Greater Flamingo create a dramatic legs trailed giving spear shape, with narrow wings.
and easily identified bird, one of the more
exotic in appearance in Europe.Although small
groups occur, most live and nest in large flocks.
Single birds found away from the main range
are usually escapees.
VOICE Loud, deep honking; cackling notes
give goose-like chorus.
NESTING Small pillar of mud in shallow water,
safe from land-based predators; 1 egg; 1 brood;
April–May.
FEEDING Sweeps its bill, upside down, through
shallow water, picking up tiny crustaceans; WADING FLOCK
often in very shallow water but also while the Flocks of Greater Flamingos typically stand in the shallows, or wade more deeply
bird is belly-deep, or swimming like a swan. into the water in long lines. Sometimes they swim like swans.
SIMILAR SPECIES OCCURRENCE
Breeds in a few places on large
CHILEAN FLAMINGO salty lakes in Spain, Portugal,
escapee
S France, Sardinia, and Turkey; more
grey legs with
pink “knees” widespread in Mediterranean as
may be found non-breeding bird, both on salt
on lakes of pans and natural lakes, usually in
northwest Europe
very open, exposed areas.
FLYING FLOCK
Flocks form irregular shapes or Seen in the UK
long, trailing lines while flying. JF M A M J JA S ON D
Length 1.2–1.45m (4–4 3 ⁄4ft) Wingspan 1.4–1.7m (4 1 ⁄2 –5 1 ⁄2ft) Weight 3–4kg (6 1 ⁄2 –8 3 ⁄4lb)
Social Large flocks Lifespan Up to 20 years Status Localized
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