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.

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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.

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© monacoeye • Camargue, France • May 2009 • All rights reserved

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. 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.



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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...

022 Phoenicopteridae - Flamingos - IOC 2.5 - 2010

Phoenicopterus roseus - Greater Flamingo - Widespread Eurasia, Africa
Phoenicopterus ruber - American Flamingo - N, Galápagos Islands, Latin America, also Caribbean
Phoenicopterus chilensis - Chilean Flamingo - S, W South America

Phoeniconaias minor - Lesser Flamingo - W, E, SC, S Africa

Phoenicoparrus andinus - Andean Flamingo - WC South America
Phoenicoparrus jamesi - James's Flamingo - WC South America - English name of Phoenicoparrus jamesi to Puna Flamingo?