FLAMINGOS

FLAMINGOS
A SEAWORLD EDUCATION DEPARTMENT PUBLICATION
CONTENTS
Scientific Classification.....................................................................................................1
Distribution and Habitat..................................................................................................2
Physical Characteristics....................................................................................................4
Senses..................................................................................................................................7
Adaptations for Their Environment...............................................................................7
Behavior..............................................................................................................................8
Communication...............................................................................................................10
Food and Foraging..........................................................................................................10
Reproduction ...................................................................................................................11
Hatching and Care of Young.........................................................................................12
Longevity and Mortality ................................................................................................14
Conservation....................................................................................................................16

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FLAMINGOS
S C I E N T I F I C C L A S S I F I C A T I O N
A. Class—Aves
(birds).
B.
Order—Ciconiiformes (also listed as Order Phoenicopteriformes).
1.
Members of this order have long legs and long necks. Order Ciconiiformes
also includes storks, herons, and ibises.
2.
The classification of flamingos has puzzled taxonomists for years. The
skeletal structure, egg-white proteins, and behavior patterns cause scientists
to link flamingos to various groups.
a.
The pelvis and ribs of a flamingo are similar to those of storks.
b.
The composition of egg-white proteins in flamingo eggs are similar to
that of the herons.
c.
Behavior patterns, especially those of chicks, link them closely to geese
(Order Anseriformes). Flamingos also have webbed feet and waterproof
plumage like geese.
d. More recently, taxonomists have grouped flamingos in their own
Order—Order Phoenicopteriformes.
C. Family—Phoenicopteridae.
Flamingos are the only members of the family Phoenicopteridae. Distinguishing
characteristics include long legs; a long, curved neck; and a gooselike voice.
D. Genus,
species.
There are five species of flamingos divided into three genera:
1.
Phoenicopterus ruber is divided into two distinct and geographically separated
subspecies: P.r. ruber and P.r. roseus. Some scientists classify these as two
separate species.
a.
P.r. ruber, the Caribbean flamingo, is slightly smaller than P.r. roseus.
b.
P.r. roseus, the greater flamingo, is the largest of the flamingos and has
deep pink wings.
2.
Phoenicopterus chilensis, the Chilean flamingo. Chilean flamingos are slightly
smaller than Caribbean flamingos and have gray legs with pink bands at the
joints.
3.
Phoenicopterus minor, the lesser flamingo. (Still sometimes listed in the genus
Phoeniconaias). This species is the smallest of all flamingos. The color of the
lesser flamingo is brighter than the greater flamingo.
4.
Phoenicoparrus jamesi, the James’ flamingo. This species is characterized by
having all black flight feathers, including the secondary flight feathers, which
are red in other species.
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5.
Phoenicoparrus andinus, the Andean flamingo. This is the only species of
flamingo that has yellow legs and feet. It also has a red spot between the
nostrils.
E. Fossil
record.
1.
Fossil evidence indicates that the group from which flamingos evolved is
very old and existed about 30 million years ago, before many other avian
orders had evolved.
2.
The discovery and study of a fossil in 1976 suggested that flamingos arose
from ancient shorebirds.
3.
Fossilized flamingo footprints, estimated to be seven million years old, have
been found in the Andes Mountains.
D I S T R I B U T I O N A N D H A B I T A T
A. Distribution.
1.
All flamingos are found in tropical and subtropical areas.
2.
Populations of Chilean flamingos are found in central Peru, both coasts of
southern South America (mainly in the winter), Argentina, Uruguay,
Paraguay, Peru, Bolivia, and southern Brazil. Stragglers have been reported
on the Falkland Islands and Ecuador.
3.
The lesser flamingo is primarily an African species. Populations are found in
eastern, southwestern, and western Africa. In addition, a sizable population
nests in India. Stragglers can be found as far north as southern Spain.
4.
The James’ flamingo has the most restricted range of all flamingo species.
They are found in southern Peru, northeastern Chile, western Bolivia, and
northwestern Argentina.
5.
Andean flamingos are found in southern Peru, north-central Chile, western
Bolivia, and northwestern Argentina.
6.
The Caribbean flamingo is found throughout the Caribbean (Cuba, the
Bahamas, the Yucatan, Turks and Caicos), the Galapagos Islands, and the
northern part of coastal South America.
7.
The greater flamingo has the most widespread distribution of all flamingo
species. Populations are found in northwest India, the Middle East, the
western Mediterranean, and Africa. Limited numbers of this species can be
found over much of northern Europe and eastward to Siberia.
B. Habitat.
1.
The flamingo’s most characteristic habitats are large alkaline or saline lakes
or estuarine lagoons that usually lack vegetation. Lakes may be far inland or
near the sea.
2.
A variety of habitats are used by flamingos: mangrove swamps, tidal flats,
and sandy islands in the intertidal zone.
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3.
The presence or absence of fish may have a great influence on the use of lakes
by some flamingos.
a.
The Chilean flamingo is scarce or absent in lakes with fish. It is present,
usually in large numbers, where there are no fish with which to
compete for food.
b.
The introduction of fish to some lakes may seriously affect the
distribution of the Chilean flamingo as well as the greater and
Caribbean flamingos, since they all feed primarily on invertebrates.
Other flamingo species are not affected because of different food
sources.
C. Migration.
1.
Flamingos are generally non-migratory birds. However, due to changes in
the climate and water levels in their breeding areas, flamingo colonies are not
always permanent.
a.
Populations that breed in high-altitude lakes, which may freeze over in
the winter, move to warmer areas.
b.
When water levels rise, birds may search for more favorable sites.
c.
Drought conditions may force some flamingo populations to relocate.

d. Most flamingos that migrate will return to their native colony to breed.

However, some may join a neighboring colony.

e. When flamingos migrate, they do so mainly at night. They prefer to fly

with a cloudless sky and favorable tailwinds. They can travel


approximately 600 km (373 miles) in one night at about 50 to 60 kph


(31–37 mph). When traveling during the day, the flamingos fly at high

altitudes, possibly to avoid predation by eagles.
2.
The movements of the greater flamingo population living in Carmarque in
southern France have been closely monitored since 1977.
a.
Most flamingos that leave the colony go either southwest to winter in
Spain, or southeast to winter in Tunisia and Turkey.
b.
The percentage of birds that travel east or west seems to depend on the
direction of the prevailing winds in the birds’ first autumn.
D. Population.
1.
The lesser flamingo is the most numerous of all flamingo species, with an
estimated population of 1.5 to 2.5 million individuals.
2.
The second most numerous flamingo species is the greater flamingo. Exact
numbers of these birds are difficult to assess because of their extensive range
and migration patterns.
3.
The Chilean flamingo is the most numerous of the south American
flamingos. Estimated total population is not more than 200,000 individuals,
and the population is in a decline.
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4.
The James’ flamingo has an estimated population of 64,000 individuals.
5.
Estimated population of the Andean flamingo is 33,927 birds with a
decreasing trend.
6.
In 1956, the Caribbean flamingo numbers were estimated at only 21,500.
Since then, the population has increased to a current estimate of 850,000 to
880,000 birds and a stable trend.
P H Y S I C A L C H A R A C T E R I S T I C S
A. Size.
1.
The greater flamingo is the tallest flamingo, standing 110 to 130 cm (43–51
in.) and weighing up to 3.5 kg (7.7 lb.).
2.
The lesser flamingo is the smallest flamingo, standing 80 cm (31.5 in.) and
weighing only 2.5 kg (5.5 lb.).
3.
Males reach full size between one-and-a-half and two years.
4.
Male flamingos are slightly larger than females, weighing more and having
longer wingspans; however, visual sex determination of flamingos is
unreliable.
5.
The wingspan of flamingos ranges from 95 to 100 cm (37–39 in.) for the lesser
flamingo to 140 to 165 cm (55–65 in.) for the greater flamingo. The Caribbean
flamingo has a wingspan of 150 cm (59 in.).
B. Coloration.
1.
Feather color varies with species, ranging from pale pink to crimson or
vermilion.
a.
Caribbean flamingos have the brightest coloration: crimson or
vermilion.
b.
The Chilean flamingo is pale pink.
2.
Feather coloration is derived from carotenoid pigments found in a flamingo’s
food.
3.
Male and female flamingo coloration is the same.
4.
Newly-hatched chicks are gray or white.
5.
Juveniles are grayish, taking approximately one to two years to obtain full
adult coloration.
6.
Parents may lose some of their pink coloration while raising young.
7.
Coloration of a flamingo’s legs and feet varies according to species—from
yellow to orange or pink-red. The Andean flamingo is the only species that
has yellow legs and feet.
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C. Appendages.
1. Legs.
a.
The legs of adult flamingos are longer than the flamingo’s body,
measuring between 80 to 125 cm (31.5–49 in.), depending on the species.
b.
The ankle is located about halfway up the leg.
c.
The knee is located close to the body and is not externally visible.
2. Feet.
a.
The Chilean, greater, and lesser flamingos have three forward-pointing
toes and a hallux, or hind toe.
b.
Andean and James’ flamingos have three toes and no hallux.
c.
Webbing between the toes aids the bird in swimming and stirring up
food.
d.
Coloration of the feet and legs is the same.
3. Wings.
a.
The wingspan of flamingos ranges from 95 to 100 cm (37–39 in.) on the
lesser flamingo to 140 to 165 cm (55–65 in.) on the greater flamingo. The
Caribbean flamingo has a wingspan of 150 cm (59 in.).
b.
There are 12 principal flight feathers located on each wing. These black
feathers are visible when the wings are extended.
4. Neck.

The neck is long and sinuous. A flamingo has 19 elongated cervical (neck)
vertebrae allowing for maximum movement and twisting.
D. Head.
1. Eyes.
a.
The eyes are located on either side of the head.
b.
Flamingo chicks have gray eyes for approximately the first year of life.
Adult flamingos have yellow eyes.
2. Bill.
a.
An adult flamingo’s bill is black, pinkish, or cream-colored. Coloration
varies according to species.
b.
The bill is adapted for filter feeding. The upper and lower bill, or
mandible, is angled downward just below the nostril.
(1) The upper mandible is thin and flat, and functions like a lid to the
lower mandible. The lower mandible is large and trough- or keel-
shaped.
(2) Tooth-like ridges on the outside of a flamingo’s bill help filter
food from the water.
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(3) Both the upper and lower mandibles contain two rows of a
bristled, comb-like or hair-like structure called lamellae. When the
mandibles come together, the lamellae of the upper and lower
mandibles mesh.

The number of lamellae in a flamingo’s bill varies according to
species. The Andean flamingo has about 9 lamellae per cm (23 per
in.). The James’ flamingo has about 21 lamellae per cm (53 per in.).
The Chilean flamingo has about 5 to 6 lamellae per cm (13–15 per
in.).
(4) James’ and Andean flamingos have a deep, narrow trough-like
lower mandible, which allows them to eat small foods such as
algae and diatoms.
(5) The lower mandible of Caribbean, greater, and Chilean flamingos
is wide, allowing them to feed on larger foods such as brineflies,
shrimp, and molluscs.
3. Tongue.

A flamingo’s large, fleshy tongue is covered with bristle-like projections that
help filter water and food particles through the lamellae.
E. Feathers.
1.
Adult feathers have a small, delicate, accessory feather arising from the main
feather at the point where the quill merges into the shaft of the feather. This
is called an aftershaft.
2.
There are 12 principal flight feathers located on each wing. These black
feathers are visible when the wings are extended.
3.
Flamingos have 12 to 16 tail feathers.
4.
Contour feathers cover all of the body except the bill and scaled parts of the
legs and feet. They protect the skin from damage and help streamline the
flamingo for flight.
5.
Flamingos molt (shed and replace) their wing and body feathers at irregular
intervals ranging from twice a year to once every two years. The molt is
related to the breeding cycle.
6.
Molted feathers lose their color.






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S E N S E S
A. Hearing.
Flamingos have good hearing. Vocalizations are important and may be used to
keep flocks together and for parent-chick recognition.
B. Eyesight.
1.
Vision plays an important role in helping flamingos synchronize collective
displays of several hundred to several thousand birds.
2.
Some biologists believe that a flamingo’s night vision is poor, but better than
a human’s.
3.
Like most birds, flamingos have well-developed color perception.
4.
In zoological settings, flamingos recognize their uniformed keepers among
visitors.
C. Tactile.
Tactile organs on the tongue can be used to ensure that only food is ingested.
D. Taste.
The sense of taste is poorly developed in birds.
E. Smell.
Flamingos have little or no sense of smell.

A D A P T A T I O N S F O R T H E I R E N V I R O N M E N T
A.
Swimming and wading.
1.
Because flamingos have long legs, they can wade into much deeper water
than most other birds. Webbed feet support them on soft mud.
2.
When the water is beyond their wading depth, flamingos swim at the surface
while feeding. Webbed feet allow the flamingo to swim quite readily.
3.
There is no evidence that flamingos dive.
4.
Flamingos are often seen in dense packs floating on the surface of the water.
B. Respiration.
Like other birds, flamingos breathe air with lungs. They hold their breath while
feeding under water.
C. Sleep.
1.
When flamingos are resting, they may sit down with their legs tucked
beneath them or rest standing on one leg.
2.
While resting, flamingos face into the wind. This stops wind and rain from
penetrating their feathers. When resting on one leg, flamingos can be seen
swaying back and forth in the wind.
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D. Thermoregulation.
Flamingos frequently stand on one leg. Curling a leg under the body keeps the foot
warm and conserves body heat. Flamingos stand on one leg in both cool and warm
environments.
E. Flight.
1.
To take off, a flamingo runs several steps, begins flapping its wings, and lifts
off into the air. When landing the procedure is reversed: the bird touches
down and then runs several paces.
2.
A flamingo flies with its head and neck stretched out in front and its legs
trailing behind.
3.
Flight speed of a flock of flamingos can reach 50 to 60 kph (31–37 mph).
4.
Flamingos have been known to fly 500 to 600 km (311–373 mi.) each night
between habitats.
F.
Adaptations for a high-salinity environment.
1.
The majority of lakes where flamingos live have extremely high salt
concentrations. The only source of fresh water for some of these birds comes
from boiling geysers. Flamingos are capable of drinking water at
temperatures that approach the boiling point.
2.
Flamingos excrete salt through salt glands in the nostrils.
B E H A V I O R
A. Social
structure.
1.
Flamingos are very social birds. Breeding colonies of a few individual
flamingos are rare, while colonies of tens of thousands of birds are common.
2.
Flock size ranges from 2 to 340 birds with an average of 71 birds.
B. Social
behavior.
1.
Flamingos devote considerable time to collective displays before, during, and
after breeding.
2.
Several hundred to several thousand flamingos are all involved
simultaneously with ritualized postures and movements to synchronize
breeding.
3.
Sometimes only one display is performed, but more often, a predictable
sequence of displays are carried out. Not all flamingo species perform all of
the described displays, and some perform the displays slightly different than
described. Flamingo displays include the following;
a.
“Head-flag” involves stretching the neck and head up as high as
possible, with the bill pointing upwards, and then rhythmically turning
the head from one side to the other.
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b.
“Wing-salute” is performed by spreading the wings for a few seconds,
showing their striking contrasted colors, while the tail is cocked and
neck outstretched.
c.
In the “inverted wing-salute”, the flamingo angles its head down, cocks
its tail, and orients its body so that the tail is higher than the chest. The
wings are then held partially open above the back with the black flight
feathers pointing up and the bend in the wing pointing down.
d.
“Twist-preen” entails the bird twisting its neck back and appearing to
preen quickly, with its bill behind a partly open wing.
e.
“Wing-leg stretch” involves the leg and wing on the same side
stretched out and to the rear.
f.
“Marching” is performed by a large group of flamingos that cluster
together, stand erect, and then move in quick, synchronized steps in
first one direction and then another.
C. Individual
behavior.
1.
Flamingos spend most of the day feeding, preening (distributing oil from a
gland at the base of their tail to their feathers for waterproofing), resting, and
bathing.
2.
Breeding birds feed day or night. Non-breeding birds feed at night and
spend the day sleeping or involved in activities such as preening and
bathing.
3.
Flamingos spend about 15% to 30% of their time during the day preening.
This is a large percentage compared to waterfowl, which preen only about
10% of the time. Flamingos preen with their bills. An oil gland near the base
of the tail secretes oil that the flamingo distributes throughout its feathers.
4.
Flamingos swim readily and bathe in shallow fresh water, submerging the
whole body.
D.
Interaction with other species.
Two or more species of flamingos can coexist in the same area at the same time.










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