Lesser Flamingo

Species

There are 5 species of flamingos.

1. Phoenicopterus ruber
Two subspecies: P. r. ruber
: P. r. roseus
2. Phoenicopterus chilensis
3. Phoenicopterus minor
4. Phoenicoparrus jamesi
5. Phoenicoparrus andinus

or Caribbean flamingo
or Greater flamingo
or Chilean flamingo
or Lesser flamingo
or James flamingo
or Andean flamingo

Population

The Lesser flamingo has the largest population (15 to 2.5 million worldwide), mainly in Africa
The Greater flamingo is the next most populous, although number are difficult to assess because of their wide-ranging distribution.
The other species are mainly found in South America. The Chilean flamingo is in decline with about 200,000 individuals.
James' flamingo has about 64,000 individuals and the Andean has less than 34,000.
The Carribean flamingo has increased its numbers to 850,000 to 880,000 birds.

Size

The lesser flamingo is the smallest species of flamingo, standing 80cm tall. It weighs about 2.5kg.
The largest flamingo is the Greater flamingo. These birds can be 120-145cm tall and weigh between 2.1-4.1 kg.

Habitat & distribution

African Lesser flamingos prefer salt lakes (either saline or semi-saline). There are several in Africa including Lakes Bogoria and Nakuru in Kenya and Lake Natron in Tanzania.

Flamingo adaptations

Flamingos stand on one leg for thermoregulation. By curling one leg under the body, the foot is kept warm and it helps to conserve body heat.
Flamingos excrete salt through salt glands in the nostrils.

Diet

Volcanic minerals in the lakes are perfect for the blue-green algae (cyanobacterium), Arthrospira fusiformis, that the flamingos mainly feed on. They also feed on diatoms (an algae with a silica cell walls).
Flamingos can spend 68% of their time feeding as they can consume 60g (dry weight) of algae per day. The are filter feeders and can filter water through their bills 20 times per second! They also need fresh water to drink. Flamingos have been known to travel as far as 450 km a day moving from lake to lake in search of food.

Interesting facts

Hidden in the cyanobacterium is a red-orange pigment (carotenoid) that gives the flamingo its pink colour.

Group

The collective noun for flamingos is called a flamboyance.

Breeding & lifespan

Flamingos only lay eggs every 5-8 years and usually lay one egg.
The lifespan is thought to be 32 years in the wild.

Predators & threats

Other birds prey on flamingo chicks (vultures, marabou storks and black kites).
Lions, leopards, cheetahs, jackals and hyenas also prey on flamingos.