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Greater Flamingo (Phoenicopterus roseus) | Birds of Eden Sanctuary - Plettenberg Bay, South Africa (IMG_8715.jpg)

Greater Flamingo (Phoenicopterus roseus)

The greater flamingo (Phoenicopterus roseus) is the most widespread species of the flamingo family. It is found in Africa, on the Indian subcontinent, in the Middle East, and in southern Europe. This is the largest 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 bird resides in mudflats and shallow coastal lagoons with salt water. Using its feet, the bird stirs up the mud, then sucks water through its bill and filters out small shrimp, seeds, blue-green algae, microscopic organisms, and mollusks.
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