Flamingos are iconic wading birds, instantly recognizable for their vivid pink coloration, long slender legs, and unique S-shaped necks. The family Phoenicopteridae contains six distinct species recognized across the world. These six species are broadly divided into two groups based on their geographical distribution: two species in the Old World and four species in the New World.
Common Characteristics of Flamingos
All six species share a specialized biological structure adapted for life in shallow, often hypersaline or alkaline, waters. The most distinctive shared trait is their filter-feeding mechanism, facilitated by a uniquely shaped, downward-curving bill. This bill contains fine, hair-like structures called lamellae, which act as a sieve to separate food particles from the water and mud.
Flamingos feed with their head inverted, using their tongue to pump water and mud through the bill, trapping small organisms. Their characteristic pink or reddish hue is not innate but derives entirely from their diet of algae and small crustaceans, which contain high levels of carotenoid pigments. These pigments are metabolized and deposited into their feathers and skin. Their long, stilt-like legs are an adaptation for wading, and their webbed feet help them stir up the bottom sediment, bringing food closer to the surface.
The Old World Species
The two species found outside the Americas inhabit areas across Africa, Europe, and Asia, and they display a notable contrast in size and feeding habits.
The Greater Flamingo (Phoenicopterus roseus) is the largest and most widespread of all six species, standing up to 4.7 feet tall. This species is generally the palest, exhibiting a pinkish-white plumage with bright red wing coverts and black flight feathers. The Greater Flamingo’s bill is pink with a black tip and is designed for feeding on a slightly larger variety of prey, including small crustaceans, mollusks, and insect larvae. It is found in scattered populations across the Mediterranean, the Middle East, the Indian subcontinent, and large parts of Africa.
The Lesser Flamingo (Phoeniconaias minor) is the smallest of all flamingo species, standing only about 2.6 to 2.9 feet tall. Despite its smaller size, it is the most numerous, with populations estimated in the millions, primarily congregating in the alkaline lakes of the Great Rift Valley in East Africa. This species is known for its darker, more vibrant pink to magenta plumage and has a specialized bill that is almost entirely black. The bill’s structure is highly adapted for filtering microscopic blue-green algae, such as Spirulina, which thrive in its alkaline lake habitats.
The New World Species
Four distinct species of flamingo make their home across the Americas, ranging from the Caribbean to the high Andes Mountains of South America.
The American or Caribbean Flamingo (Phoenicopterus ruber) is recognized as the brightest of all six species, often displaying a deep reddish-pink to crimson plumage. This species is found in the Caribbean islands, the Yucatán Peninsula, northern South America, and the Galápagos Islands, preferring coastal saline lagoons and mudflats.
The Chilean Flamingo (Phoenicopterus chilensis) is found in temperate South America, primarily inhabiting lakes and lagoons in Argentina, Chile, Uruguay, and Peru. It possesses a paler pink plumage than its Caribbean counterpart. A distinguishing feature is its legs, which are grayish with noticeable pink joints. Its bill is mostly black but shows a significant pale pink or whitish base.
The Andean Flamingo (Phoenicoparrus andinus) and James’s Flamingo (Phoenicoparrus jamesi) are restricted to the high-altitude saline lakes of the Andes mountains. The Andean Flamingo is visually distinct with yellow legs and a bill that is yellow at the base and middle, transitioning to black at the tip. It is considered the rarest of all species.
James’s Flamingo, also known as the Puna Flamingo, is similar in size to the Lesser Flamingo. Its distinguishing features include bright brick-red legs and a predominantly yellow bill with a black tip, similar to a “banana beak.” This species was once thought to be extinct but was rediscovered in the high Andean plateaus.
Global Distribution and Conservation Status
Flamingos occupy a wide range of aquatic habitats, from coastal estuaries to inland alkaline lakes. Their global distribution is discontinuous and clustered around specific hydrological features. The species distribution highlights a strong preference for saline or alkaline environments, which limits competition from other wading birds.
The conservation status of the six species varies significantly. The Greater Flamingo and the American Flamingo are listed as Least Concern by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) due to their widespread and stable populations. The Lesser, Chilean, and James’s flamingos are classified as Near Threatened, meaning they are close to qualifying for a threatened status in the near future. The Andean Flamingo is the most threatened, listed as Vulnerable, primarily facing risks from habitat loss and degradation, particularly from mining and human disturbance.