Chilean Flamingo
Phoenicopterus chilensis
Characteristics
- Origin
Southern and western South America
- Habitat
lakes, marshes and lagoons
- Diet
Chilean flamingos eat small crustaceans, larvae, water insects and algae.
- Status
near threatened
- Size
Stand height: 120 to140 cm
- Weight
2,3 kg
- Breeding period
27 to 31 days, become independent at about 3 months of age
- Achievable age
over 60 years
Threat Categories of IUCN
May I have this dance?
The flamingo’s courtship dance wouldn’t look out of place at a grand ball. Groups of male and female birds strut around in a group, heads held high and almost perfectly synchronised. The males show off by “saluting” with their magnificent wings. The stronger the wings, the fitter and thus more desirable the mate.
Did you know that ...
... Flamingos get their glorious pink plumage from the carotenoid pigments found in their diet of shrimp and algae
... and they are elegant flyers, but need to run to gain sufficient speed before taking off?
