DISTRIBUTION AND HABITAT
Greater flamingos are found in Asia, Africa and in numerous locations around Europe. They inhabit shallow waters of lagoons, lakes, estuaries, and muddy beaches, also can be found in rice fields and on low islands, sea bays, and salt marshes.
BEHAVIOUR
Greater flamingo is an extremely social bird. Flamingos travel in groups of up to thousands. They travel constantly, looking for areas with adequate resources
to sustain the entire flock, especially during mating season. They communicate using auditory and visual cues.
DIET
They consume organisms that are commonly found in mud, like algae, diatoms, crustaceans, insect larvae, and mollusks.
REPRODUCTION
Mating begins with elaborate group displays. A pair of flamingos build a nest, usually made of mud. The mound of mud is hardened by the sun and has a concave center for a single egg. Both parents incubate the egg. The fledging period ranges from 65 to 90 days. Greater flamingos do not breed more than once a year.
GOOD TO KNOW
The algae they consume help them maintain the pink tones in their plumage.
- Latin name: Phoenicopterus roseus
- IUCN –Red List – VU – vulnerable
