Flamingos
Lesser Flamingo
11 March 2010 22:57
Photo copyright: AS/monacoeye • Do not copy • Images: Lake Nakuru • Oct 2009
Bird name: Lesser Flamingo
Latin: Phoenicopterus minor
Other:
Family: Phoenicopteridae • Flamingos
The Lesser Flamingo looks similar to the Greater Flamingo, but is smaller with more black on the bill and a red patch at the tip. Large numbers congregate in Lake Nakuru.
More photos...Comments
Chilean Flamingo
02 January 2010 23:13
Photo copyright: monacoeye • Do not copy • Images: Lagoa do Peixe • November 2009
Bird name: Chilean Flamingo
Latin: Phoenicopterus chilensis
Other: Flamingo-chileno (Br) • Flamenco chileno (Es), Flamenco austral, Solor, Tokoko
Family: Phoenicopteridae • Flamingos
No mistaking the Chilean Flamingo at the Lagoa do Peixe. One feature which distinguishes it from other flamingos is its pink knees.
More photos...Greater Flamingo
13 October 2009 09:55
Photos copyright: monacoeye • Camargue, France • May 2009 • Do not copy without permission
Bird name: Greater Flamingo
Latin: Phoenicopterus roseus
Other: Flamingo • Phoenicopterus ruber
Family: Phoenicopteridae • Flamingos
Surprisingly perhaps, the Greater Flamingo is native to France and can be seen quite easily in certain areas such as the Camargue. Flamingos are unmistakeable.
Juveniles have the brown and white colouring. Adults have reddish pink legs and yellow irises, reddish wings with a black border of primary feathers.
There are six flamingo species in the world, four in the Americas and two in the Old World. As a genetic family they are somewhat unique and are not easily grouped in with other birds - currently they usually fall under the larger heron group Ciconiiformes. It's not clear if Greater Flamingos themselves are a separate species, P. roseus, or a subspecies of P. ruber.
The outstretched wings and necks form part of their courtship display. Flamingos are well known for sleeping on one leg, but never toppling over.More photos...
Dead Barn Owl & Flamingo
09 April 2009 10:01
I came across these two dead birds on my last visit to the Camargue in March 2009. The Barn Owl was beside the path in La Capellière and the Flamingo was beside the path at the Pont de Gau bird centre.More photos...