Flamingos are some of the most beautiful birds you will ever see, distinguished by their pink plumage and long legs. The six species of flamingos have habitats ranging across the continents, so plan to see their magnificence live, instead of watching them through a television safari.
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The Pink Mystery
Flamingos' pink hue reflects diet. Dark is healthy, pale means malnutrition.
Flamingos are long-legged and long-lived wading birds with pink plumage. They are known to populate various tropical and sub-tropical areas in the world. This is one of the oldest known bird families, dating back to 30 million years. Six species are known to exist. These beautiful birds were once worshiped by the ancient Egyptians as living incarnations of the God Ra.
Flamingo Habitats Around the World
Wetlands, including large alkaline, saline lakes, or lagoons without vegetation, are the preferred habitats of flamingos. The lakes could be inland or near the sea. They thrive in a variety of habitats like sandy islands in intertidal zones, mangrove swamps, and tidal flats.
There are six flamingo species around the world. Two are found in the old world (Eurasia and Africa) and four in the American continents.
Greater Flamingo
Largest in family, 43-60 inches tall, 4.4-8.8 pounds.
Greater Flamingos are known to live for as much as 75 years or more. They are found in Africa, the southern part of Asia (particularly, coastal parts of India and Pakistan), Middle East, Western Mediterranean, and the southern part of Europe (France, Spain, Turkey, Albania, Greece, Italy). Stray sightings have been reported all over the world. The Camargue region, in France, is particularly known to be a preferred breeding location.
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Greater Flamingos in Africa, including Lake Natron (Tanzania) and Lake Nakuru (Kenya).
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Flamingos often flock in southern Mediterranean coastal areas like Tunisia and Egypt.
Lesser Flamingo
Smaller than others, 2.6-6.0 pounds, 31-35 inches tall. Found in Africa's Great Rift Valley.
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Majority in Africa, rest in Spain, Iran, Oman, Afghanistan, Yemen, and Southern Asia.
Lesser Flamingos are the most numerous of all the species. In Africa, they are primarily sighted at Lake Natron, in Tanzania, at Etosha pan in Kalahari basin, situated north of Namibia, the Makgadikgadi Pan in Northeastern Botswana, and Kamfers Dam in Kimberley, South Africa. In Northwestern India, its home is in the Zinzuwadia and Purabcheria salt pans.
Chilean Flamingo
43-51 inches tall, closely resembling greater and American flamingos.
They are found in South America (in Ecuador, Peru, Chile, Argentina, and Brazil). California and Utah also host small populations. Their preferred habitat consists coastal estuaries, salt water lakes, and lagoons. Their current status is 'Near Threatened'.
Andean Flamingo
High Andes: Flamingos threatened by hunting and habitat loss.
James's Flamingo
In high Andes: Argentina, Chile, Bolivia, Peru. Closely related to Andean flamingo.
American Flamingo
Resembles greater flamingo, breeds in coastal areas: Columbia, Venezuela, Yucatan.
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Lake Nakuru in central Kenya is a flamingo hot spot, with about 2 million of them gathering to feast on the abundant algae every year. The pink sea of flamingos is a beautiful sight to behold. It is a view worth traveling for.