Chilean Flamingo
Phoenicopterus chilensis
Flamingos are an ancient group of birds some 30 million years old.
There are 6 kinds of Flamingo found around the tropical and temperate
parts of the world, on all continents except Antarctica and Australia.
Some live around inhospitable soda salt lakes, where few other animals
can live and where predators are few.
There are 6 kinds of Flamingo found around the tropical and temperate
parts of the world, on all continents except Antarctica and Australia.
Some live around inhospitable soda salt lakes, where few other animals
can live and where predators are few.
At different times they have been recognised as relatives of ducks,
geese and swans, and later storks, ibises, herons and
most recently 'waders' or 'shore birds'.
geese and swans, and later storks, ibises, herons and
most recently 'waders' or 'shore birds'.
The three kinds most often seen in zoos are the Chilean,
from South America; the Caribbean, from that region,
Central America and the Galapagos - the most richly
coloured; and the Greater Flamingo, the tallest, palest,
and most widespread and the only one found as a wild bird
in Europe, also the Middle East, Africa and India.
Two other species, Andean and James', both rare, occur at
higher altitudes in South America; and the smallest and
most numerous the Lesser Flamingo from Africa and India.
from South America; the Caribbean, from that region,
Central America and the Galapagos - the most richly
coloured; and the Greater Flamingo, the tallest, palest,
and most widespread and the only one found as a wild bird
in Europe, also the Middle East, Africa and India.
Two other species, Andean and James', both rare, occur at
higher altitudes in South America; and the smallest and
most numerous the Lesser Flamingo from Africa and India.
