Chilean Flamingo vs Lesser Flamingo

Chilean Flamingo

Phoenicopterus chilensis

Huge2.3 kgWetland

The Chilean flamingo's plumage is pinker than the slightly larger greater flamingo, but less so than the American flamingo. It can be differentiated from these species by its grayish legs with pink joints, by the larger amount of black on the bill (more than half), and also by being a foot shorter than the American flamingo. Young chicks may have no sign of pink coloring whatsoever, but instead remain gray or peach. Young chicks will slowly gain their pink color as pigments called carotenoids from their diet accumulate in their feathers.

ID text from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0

Photo: robin bos from heerenveen, the netherlands · CC BY 2.0

Lesser Flamingo

Phoeniconaias minor

Huge1.5 kgWetland

The lesser flamingo is the smallest species of flamingo, though it is a tall and large bird by most standards. The species can weigh from 1.2 to 2.7 kg (2.6 to 6.0 lb). The standing height is around 80 to 90 cm (31 to 35 in). The total length (from beak to tail) and wingspan are in the same range of measurements, from 90 to 105 cm (35 to 41 in). Most of the plumage is pinkish white. The clearest difference between this species and the greater flamingo, the only other Old World species of flamingo, is the much more extensive black on the bill.

ID text from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0

Photo: Charles J Sharp · CC BY 2.5

Photos and recordings are credited to their authors under the licence shown. Full profiles: Chilean Flamingo and Lesser Flamingo.