The most widespread and largest species of the flamingo family. Found in parts of Africa, southern Asia (including India), the Middle East, and southern Europe, this species is noted for its striking pink plumage, long, lean, curved neck, and similarly lengthy and slender legs.
During the breeding season, the plumage of Greater Flamingos becomes more vibrant. The intensity of their pink coloration is diet-dependent, with pigments known as carotenoids (found in their natural food sources like shrimp, plankton, and algae) playing a crucial role. Additionally, these flamingos engage in a unique behavior known as “make-up” where they use their uropygial glands to spread pigmented oil over their feathers, enhancing their coloration. This cosmetic application not only intensifies their hue but may also be a factor in mate selection.
Greater Flamingos are gregarious birds that find strength in numbers. They form large colonies that can number in the thousands, which offers individual birds protection against predators. Within these colonies, birds often form smaller groups that engage in synchronous nesting and cooperative vigilance, ensuring the safety and survival of their offspring.
The young flamingos hatch with gray feathers and do not acquire the characteristic pink plumage until they are about two years old. The coloration process is gradual and correlates with their maturing diet, which begins to include more carotenoid-rich foods.
Human activity poses significant threats to the Greater Flamingo. Disturbance from development and tourism can lead to the abandonment of breeding sites, resulting in reproductive failure. Additionally, these birds require specific environmental conditions for feeding, including shallow water where they can filter-feed on small organisms. Changes in water levels due to irrigation, droughts, or other human-induced water management can force flamingos to migrate in search of suitable foraging grounds.
Distribution
Afghanistan
Algeria
Angola
Armenia
Austria
Azerbaijan
Bahrain
Bangladesh
Belarus
Belgium
Botswana
Bulgaria
Burundi
Cambodia
Cameroon
Cape Verde
China
Cocos Is. (Keeling)
Comoros
Congo-Brazzaville
Croatia
Cyprus
Czechia
DR Congo (Kinshasa)
Denmark
Djibouti
Egypt
Equatorial Guinea
Eritrea
Eswatini
Ethiopia
Finland
France
Gambia
Germany
Gibraltar
Greece
Guinea-Bissau
Guinea
Hungary
India
Iran
Iraq
Islands
Israel
Italy
Jordan
Kazakhstan
Kenya
Kuwait
Kyrgyzstan
Latvia
Lebanon
Lesotho
Libya
Madagascar
Malawi
Maldives
Malta
Mauritania
Mauritius
Mayotte
Mongolia
Montenegro
Morocco
Mozambique
Namibia
Nepal
Niger
North Macedonia
Norway
Oman
Pakistan
Poland
Portugal
Qatar
Romania
Russia
Russia
Réunion
Saudi Arabia
Senegal
Serbia
Seychelles
Sierra Leone
Slovakia
Slovenia
Somalia
South Africa
Spain
Sri Lanka
Sudan
Sweden
Switzerland
Syria
São Tomé & Príncipe
Tajikistan
Tanzania
Tunisia
Turkey
Turkmenistan
UAE
Uganda
Uzbekistan
Yemen
Zambia
ZimbabweAnything we've missed?
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Terrestrial / Aquatic
Altricial / Precocial
Polygamous / Monogamous
Dimorphic / Monomorphic
Active: Diurnal / Nocturnal
Social behavior: Solitary / Pack / Herd / Flock
Diet: Carnivore / Herbivore / Omnivore / Piscivorous / Insectivore
Migratory: Yes / No
Domesticated: Yes / No
Dangerous: Yes / No
