Scientific Name:
Phoenicopterus roseus
Distribution
Africa, western Asia, and southern Europe
Diet:
Crustaceans, molluscs, seeds of marsh grasses, algae and decaying leaves, insects, marine worms and small fish.
Facts
Habitat: saline lagoons, saltpans, inland lakes, estuaries and coastal waters
Incubation: 27-31 days / 1-2 eggs
Social structure: 3 -200.000 pairs
Weight: 2.1 - 4.1kg
Dimensions: Height: 1.20 - 1.25m. Wing span 1.40-1.87m
Estimated population in the wild: Global population: 150,000-205,000 individuals. European population is estimated at 45,000-62,400 pairs, which equates to 89,900-125,000 mature individuals.
Lifespan: ~30
Threats: Pollution, diseases, habitat loss, low breeding due to human disturbance.
IUCN Status: Least concern
Did you know that:
- Flamingos frequently stand on one leg. Curling a leg under the body keeps the foot warm and conserves body heat.
- Usually feeds with its head and most of the neck under water.
- The flight speed of a flock can reach 60km, and they can cover distances of 600km in a night.