Phoenicoparrus andinus
The Andean Flamingo is a striking and highly specialized high-altitude resident of the South American Andes, instantly recognizable by its vibrant plumage and unique adaptations. Standing 100-120 cm tall and weighing 2.5-4 kg, this elegant wader exhibits a predominantly pinkish-white body, often adorned with carmine-pink streaking on its back and extensive black primary and secondary flight feathers, a distinctive trait setting it apart from its congeners. Its most unique field mark is its br...
Found exclusively in high-altitude (2,300-4,900 m) saline and alkaline lakes, marshes, and lagoons across the Andean plateau.
Primarily consumes microscopic algae, especially diatoms and cyanobacteria, and small invertebrates, filtered from shallow hypersaline waters.
Andean Flamingos are highly gregarious and diurnal, forming vast flocks for feeding, roosting, and breeding, often sharing habitats with James's and Chilean Flamingos. Their unique foraging strategy involves walking slowly through shallow waters with their heads submerged, sweeping their deep-kee...
The Andean Flamingo has a restricted range exclusively within the high-altitude Andean plateaus, known as the Altiplano or Puna. Its distribution spans parts of Peru, Bolivia, Chile, and Argentina, typically found at elevations between 2,300 and 4,900 meters. Key breeding grounds include the vast...
Endangered
- The Andean Flamingo is the only flamingo species with bright yellow legs and feet. - Its unique, deep-keeled bill is highly specialized to filter out tiny diatoms, a crucial adaptation for its high-altitude diet. - These flamingos can tolerate extreme environmental conditions, including very hi...