Phoenicopteriformes

The tall, pink flamingos are an instantly recognizable group of birds, which have been known from the earliest times and often celebrated in popular stories. They belong to one of the oldest bird families, dating back al least 30 million years, with their range extended to North America and Australia.

Additional information

Flamingos are extremely sociable and usually occur in large flocks. At times, they form the biggest concentrations of any non-passerine birds: on occasions, more than a million gather at feeding sites. The birds forage by wading knee-deep at the edges of lakes or lagoons. They turn their head upside down and sweep the bill through the water, sucking in mouthfuls. As they squeeze out excess water with their tongue, comblike structures called lamellae trap tiny particles of food.

Although widespread, flamingos occur at very few places within their range: mostly at shallow lakes and lagoons. The water in these places can be alkaline or saline, and sometimes with a salinity level twice that of seawater. The birds have a high tolerance of toxic substances including chlorides, sulfates, and fluoride. They may often be the sole inhabitants of otherwise inhospitable soda-lakes, and can drink water up to 65°C.

Taxonomy 

There are 5 species divided over 3 genera:

• Phoenicopterus ruber (Greater Flamingo)
• Phoenicopterus chilensis (Chilean Flamingo)
• Phoeniconaias minor (Lesser Flamingo)
• Phoenicoparrus andinus (Andean Flamingo)
• Phoenicoparrus jamesi (Puna Flamingo)