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Lesser Flamingo
(Phoeniconaias [Phoenicopterus] minor)
Size: 80-90 cm; wing span: 0.9-1.05 m
Weight: 1.2-2.7 kg
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Similar
species |
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Physical description |
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 Click here for a physical description
Although, by any standard, Lesser Flamingos are large aquatic
birds, they are the smallest species of all flamingos.
Large parts of the plumage are pink,
except the flight feathers, which are red.
The downward-kinked bill is all black, with a pink hue.
The legs are light-pink, with darker pink joints and fully
webbed feet.
Juvenile and sub-adult Lesser Flamingos have a greyish plumage for several years
before moulting into adult plumage.
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Twitcher's tip |
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As opposed to Greater
Flamingos, Lesser Flamingos have an entirely black bill.
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Taxonomy, classification |
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See Lesser
Flamingo at Wikipedia  .
Click here for classification information
The Lesser Flamingo has been re-classified and placed into its own
genus "Phoeniconaias" and is no longer considered to be a species
in the genus "Phoenicopterus".
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Range, habitat |
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Click here for information on habitat
and range
The overall distribution of this species can be assessed, and
specific locations where birds have been spotted can be found,
based on individual sighting reports submitted by birdwatchers to
ebird.org
.
The global distribution of the Lesser Flamingo is available
HERE
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There are two major populations of Lesser Flamingos.
The by far largest of the two populates parts of Africa
(mostly southern and eastern Africa and the West coast
of Madagascar, but also part of the West coast of the
African continent).
The smaller population resides in (near-)coastal
south-eastern Pakistan and north-western India.
Vagrant Lesser Flamingos have been reported from the Arabian peninsula,
including the North coast of Oman.
Lesser Flamingos are usually found in estuaries, intertidal wetlands
and lagoons with shallow salt water, but also - in particular in
East Africa - in inland areas.
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Sightings |
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Click here for sighting information
We have not seen Lesser Flamingos in the wild yet. The photo shown
below was taken in captivity. All photographic information presented
on this page has kindly been contributed by S. Kirkby.
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Photos |
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ADULT |
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Lateral view of Lesser Flamingos resting in captivity (photo
courtesy of S. Kirkby)
These pages are largely based on our own observations and those of our
contributors. The structure of these bird pages is explained HERE. For more salient facts on any bird species
please refer to a field guide.
Breeding
Nest
Eggs
Behaviour
Food
Call/s
