Greater Flamingo
Phoenicopterus roseus
The Greater Flamingo (Phoenicopterus roseus) is a common flamingo found in 95 countries, weighing about 3.0 kg. The greater flamingo is the largest and most widespread species of the flamingo family.
About the Greater Flamingo
The greater flamingo is the largest and most widespread species of the flamingo family. Common in the Old World, they are found in Northern (coastal) and Sub-Saharan Africa, the Indian subcontinent, Central Asia, the Middle East, the Levant, the Persian Gulf, the Gulf of Aden, the Red Sea, and the Mediterranean countries of Southern Europe.
Text adapted from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.
How to identify it
The greater flamingo is the largest living species of flamingo, averaging 110–150 cm (43–59 in) tall and weighing 2–4 kg (4.4–8.8 lb). Most of the plumage is pinkish-white, but the wing coverts are red and the primary and secondary flight feathers are black. The bill is pink with a restricted black tip, and the legs are entirely pink. The call is a goose-like honking. Chicks are covered in grey fluffy down. Subadult flamingos are paler with dark legs. Adults feeding chicks also become paler, but retain the bright pink legs.
What the Greater Flamingo sounds like
Where it lives
Recorded as a rare visitor in Sweden, United States, United Kingdom, Norway, Belgium, Finland, Poland, Mongolia, Czechia, Seychelles, Japan, North Macedonia, Mauritius, Mayotte, Ecuador, Ireland, Serbia.
When to see it
The Greater Flamingo can be seen all year round, with peak activity in April. It is a resident species across most of its range.
Easily confused with
Quick questions
- How do you identify a Greater Flamingo?
- The greater flamingo is the largest living species of flamingo, averaging 110–150 cm (43–59 in) tall and weighing 2–4 kg (4.4–8.8 lb). Full identification notes are on this page.
- How big is a Greater Flamingo?
- The Greater Flamingo is a huge sized bird weighing about 3.0 kg.
- Where can you see a Greater Flamingo?
- The Greater Flamingo occurs in 95 countries, including France, Spain, Portugal, India and the United Arab Emirates.
- What does a Greater Flamingo sound like?
- You can listen to 2 field recordings of the Greater Flamingo on this page, contributed to xeno-canto under open licences.
- What birds look similar to a Greater Flamingo?
- The Greater Flamingo is most easily confused with the American Flamingo and the Chilean Flamingo.
- Is the Greater Flamingo endangered?
- The Greater Flamingo is listed as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List.
Learn the Greater Flamingo for real
BeakBrain drills you on photos and calls until you can greet this bird by name in the field. Free to play, on any device.
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