Greater Flamingo

Greater flamingos are one of the world’s most iconic avian species and raising awareness of this unique species is important. Learn about greater flamingo habitat, diet, and breeding, and potential threats facing these beautiful birds.

The Greater Flamingo

(Phoenicopterus roseus)

Greater flamingos are the largest of the six flamingo species and the most widespread. Classified as “Least Concern” (LC) by the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species, they occur in Africa, the Indian subcontinent, the Middle East, and southern Europe. Despite this classification, like all common species, they have little protection from development encroaching on their habitat. Their populations are being monitored, and conservation sites have been identified should the species begin to decline. Programs are underway in Europe to raise public awareness, protect breeding and feeding wetlands, and warden against disturbance.

A small flock of greater flamingos on the move on Lake Nakuru.

Characteristics of the Greater Flamingo

Standing 110 – 150cm (43in – 59 in) tall and weighing 2 – 4 kg (4.4 – 8.8 lb), they are often seen feeding among smaller lesser flamingos in their African range. They are much larger, with the greatest height for lesser flamingos being 90cm. Greater flamingo plumage is pale pink with whitish-yellow eyes, and the bill is narrow and pink, with a distinct black tip. In contrast, lesser flamingos have a very dark deep bill and red eyes. Both species have red legs and black flight feathers, which are largely hidden if the wings are folded, and the wings have deeper salmon coloured feathers that are most obvious in flight. Greater flamingos have a wingspan of 1.4 and 1.7 metres and fly with outstretched necks and legs extended behind. Chicks are born with grey plumage and take two to three years to develop adult plumage.

Greater flamingos in flight over Lake Nakuru, Kenya.

Greater Flamingo Habitat

Like all flamingo species, the greater flamingo lives and feeds on highly alkaline soda lakes, coastal lagoons, and mudflats. Gathering in flocks that may vary from a dozen birds to thousands, the birds move in unison when threatened as this behaviour helps to protect them from predators, especially when their heads are submerged while feeding. Birds in cooler areas will migrate to warmer areas in winter. Threats to their survival include contamination of their habitat and water sources by bacteria and toxins from industrial runoff and disturbance of their nesting sites.

Greater Flamingo Diet and Feeding Habits

All flamingos are filter feeders, sucking water through their bills to trap algae, shrimp, small crustaceans, molluscs, and tiny fish. Wading in shallow water, greater flamingos use their feet to stir up the mud containing potential food. Their bill, containing thousands of rigid microscopic plates known as lamellae, is used upside down to filter the water stirred up by their feet. Their diet is rich in alpha and beta carotenoid pigments, which, when digested, are deposited into the skin and feathers resulting in pink colouration. Birds with deficient diets will lose their pink plumage, skin and beak colour, and birds feeding chicks will often be paler in colour.