The lesser flamingo is an obligate filter feeder and feeds during the night and early morning when the surface of the water is calm, primarily by swimming and filtering the algae near the surface with a specialized bill that contains up to 10,000 microscopic lamellae.įlamingos are an ancient group of birds. Some flocks are known to contain up to one million lesser flamingos and several thousand greater flamingos ( Phoenicopterus ruber roseus). Lesser flamingos are believed to be the most numerous and live in the largest flocks. The name flamingo is originally derived from the Portuguese language and means "red goose," which is a reference to their flying formation and the noise they make. The population appears to be decreasing but is not severely fragmented. Regional estimates include 15,000-25,000 individuals in West Africa, 1,500,000 to 2,500,000 in East Africa, 55,000 to 65,000 in South Africa and Madagascar, and 650,000 in South Asia. Population The global population has been estimated at 2,220,000 to 3,240,000 individuals. Habitat The species breeds on large undisturbed alkaline and saline lakes, salt pans or coastal lagoons, usually far out from the shore, after seasonal rains have provided the flooding necessary to isolate remote breeding sites from terrestrial predators and the soft muddy material for nest building. However, small populations exist in western Africa, Madagascar, Yemen, Pakistan, and India. Incubation 28 days Clutch Size Usually 1 large egg Fledging Duration 70 to 75 days Sexual Maturity Approximately 6 years Life Span In the wild, up to 50 years Range These birds are found primarily in eastern and southern Africa. To a lesser extent, the species will also take small aquatic invertebrates such as rotifers. Size Approximately 80 to 90 cm (31 to 36 in.) long females tend to be smaller than males Weight Approximately 1.5 to 2 kg (3 to 4.5 lbs.) Diet This species has a highly specialized diet consisting almost entirely of microscopic blue-green algae and benthic diatoms found only in alkaline lakes, salt pans and saline lagoons and estuaries. The lesser flamingo is one of the smallest and the brightest of the flamingos. Most flamingos, including this species, have pale pink plumage, legs, and bills. The national bird of the Bahamas is the flamingo.Scientific Classification Common Name lesser flamingo Kingdom Animalia Phylum Chordata Class Aves Order Ciconiiformes Family Phoenicopteridae Genus Species Phoenicopterus (crimson winged) minor (smaller)įast Facts Description The lesser flamingo is a tall, large-bodied bird with a long neck and small head.When it died on January 30th, 2014, it was at least 83 years old. Greater was a greater flamingo (Phoenicopterus roseus) living at the Adelaide Zoo in Adelaide, Australia. The flamingo with the world record for the longest lifespan belongs to Greater.No one knows why they do this, but one theory it is to help the flamingo conserve body heat. It’s common to see a flamingo standing on one leg, with the other tucked under its body.The weight of a flamingo varies by species and can be as light as 5.5 pounds and as heavy as 8 pounds.The height of a flamingo varies by species and can be as short as 3 feet and as tall as 5 feet.The largest colony of flamingos has over one million individuals in East Africa.Flamingos are social birds and live in colonies, and some of these colonies can contain thousands of flamingos.Flamingos are omnivores and eat a wide variety of aquatic animals, insects and algae.The color of a flamingo is determined by its diet.
Flamingos are commonly pink, but can come in other colors, such as white, orange and cream.They’re the Greater flamingo (Phoenicopterus roseus) and the Lesser flamingo (Phoeniconaias minor). The two living species of Old World flamingos.They’re the Chilean flamingo (Phoenicopterus chilensis), James’s flamingo (Phoenicoparrus jamesi), Andean flamingo (Phoenicoparrus andinus) and American flamingo (Phoenicopterus ruber). The four living species of New World flamingos.Flamingos that are native to North and South America are known as New World flamingos.
0 kommentar(er)
