|
|
Home > Flamingo basics
|
Flamingo basics
Flamingos are long-legged, pink waterbirds living in the wild in Africa, Asia, Europe, North America and South America. The number of species is debated. Most authorities recognise six species, all in the family Phoenicopteridae. Some sources do not consider the Greater and Caribbean Flamingo seperate species.
The largest species is the Greater Flamingo standing 1.2 to 1.5 m (3 ft 11 in to 4 ft 11 in) tall and weighing up to 3.5 kg (7.7 lb). The smallest species is the Lesser Flamingo, standing 80 cm (2 ft 7.5 in) tall and weighing 2.5 kg (5.5 lb). Both of these species are found in the Old World while Caribbean, Chilean, Andean and James's Flamingos are found in the New World.
|
|
|
| Species |
|
Geographic location |
| Greater Flamingo |
Phoenicopterus roseus |
Africa, southern Europe, southwestern Asia |
| Caribbean Flamingo |
Phoenicopterus ruber |
Caribbean, northern South America, Yucatán Peninsula of Mexico and Galapagos Islands |
| Chilean Flamingo |
Phoenicopterus chilensis |
Southwestern South America |
| Lesser Flamingo |
Phoeniconaias minor |
Africa, northwest India and eastern Pakistan |
| Andean Flamingo |
Phoenicoparrus andinus |
Peru, Chile, Bolivia and Argentina |
| James's Flamingo |
Phoenicoparrus jamesi |
Peru, Chile, Bolivia and Argentina |
More information can be found in the following sections:
|
| |
|
Related Links
|
