The greater flamingo
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The Greater Flamingo is the largest species of flamingo, averaging 110-150 cm tall and weighing up to 4 kilos. They are pink in color due to beta carotene in their diet, and live in colonies, using their unusual legs and bills to feed by stirring mud with tiny shrimp and algae. Greater Flamingos have long lifespans, with some living over 50 years in captivity and one specimen recorded at 83 years old in the wild. They are found across parts of Asia, Africa and southern Europe.
The greater flamingo
- 1. The Greater Flamingo The Greater Flamingo is well known to those with an interest in wildlife like Tony Freeman. Found in parts of Asia, Africa and southern Europe, the Greater Flamingo is the most widespread of the flamingo family. Some populations migrate across short distances. Sightings to the north of the breeding range can be frequent. Nevertheless, given the Greater Flamingo's popularity in captivity, it is arguable that these examples may not be truly wild individuals. In 1988, a Greater Flamingo was spotted as far adrift as North Keeling Island. The Greater Flamingo is the largest species of the flamingo family, averaging some 110cm to 150 cm tall and weighing up to 4 kilos. Like other flamingos, the Greater Flamingos lays a single white egg on a mound of mud. Greater Flamingos tend to inhabit shallow salt water coastal lagoons and mudflats. To feed, they use their feet to stir the mud, siphoning tiny shrimp, algae, seeds, microscopic organisms and molluscs through a specially adapted beak. The average life span of a captive Greater Flamingo is, according to Zoo Basel, over 50 years. The oldest recorded specimen lived at Adelaide Zoo, dying at aged 83 years. The famously pink Greater Flamingo favours saline estuaries and alkaline lakes. These birds are surprisingly adept swimmers in spite of their awkward, gangly appearance. They have long, curved, lean necks and black-tipped bills, the downward bend lending them a distinctive appearance. Greater Flamingos live in groups called colonies or flocks, finding greater safety in numbers.
- 2. Greater Flamingos are large birds which are easily distinguishable by their stick-like legs, long necks and pink/reddish plumage. Their distinctive colouring is caused by pigments found in the invertebrates and algae they consume: they are loaded with beta carotene, an organic chemical which contains an orange/red pigment which is present in many plants including carrots, tomatoes, pumpkins, spinach and sweet potato. In the absence of this nutritional additive, the Greater Flamingo's plumage is white. According to the Integrated Taxonomic Information System, there are six species of flamingo in the wild today: The Greater Flamingo. The Lesser Flamingo. The American (or Caribbean) Flamingo. The Andean Flamingo. The Chilean Flamingo. James' (or the Puna) Flamingo. Colonies work together to protect their young and each other from predators. According to Sea World, Greater Flamingos are monogamous: once they mate, they mate for life. A colony of Greater Flamingos will mate at the same time, ensuring that hatching times are synchronised. Eggs measure up to three and a half inches and weigh up to five ounces. Chics take up to 31 days to hatch, appearing quite dull. Young can take from three to five years to mature. Greater Flamingos generally survive in the wild from 20 to 30 years.