They can fly at speeds of 50 to 60km/h (31-37mph). It takes them a little bit of effort to take off: they’ll usually run for a few steps while flapping their wings to build momentum. Two greater flamingos flying © Getty Images Can flamingos fly?Įven though they are pretty sizeable birds, flamingos can fly. The lesser flamingo, with a height of 80 to 90cm and a weight of 1.2-2.7kg, is the smallest of the flamingo species, and lives in sub-Saharan Africa and northwest India. These three species can often be found in the same areas, and will even live in flocks together. The Chilean flamingo, Andean flamingo and James’s flamingo all live in South America, with the Chilean flamingo occupying the largest range. It is arguably the pinkest of all the flamingo species. The Caribbean flamingo, also called the American flamingo, breeds in South America and the Caribbean, although its range can stretch to the southern regions of Florida. They can be found in Africa, southern Europe, the Indian subcontinent and the Middle East. In total, there are six flamingo species: the greater flamingo, Chilean flamingo, Caribbean flamingo, lesser flamingo, Andean flamingo and James’s flamingo.Īs its name suggests, the greater flamingo, with a height of 110 to 150cm and a weight of up to 4kg, is the largest of the bunch, and is also the most widespread.
And you can use that to attract a mate in a courtship ritual,” says Rose. “As a flamingo, the pinker you are, the healthier and better quality you are – it's a direct reflection of how good you are at foraging. Interestingly, while flamingos are pink primarily as a by-product of their diet, their colour takes on a special significance during mating season. A flamingo chick with its pink parent © Getty Images
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