A large wading bird, native to South America, Africa, S Europe, and W Asia; plumage white or pink (pink colour deriving from pigments in food); inhabits shallow soda or brine lakes; filters minute organisms from water with stout, downwardly angled bill; swims well; forms immense flocks. (Family: Phoenicopteridae, 5 species.)
For the constellation, see Phoenicopterus (constellation).| iFlamingos | ||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
A Caribbean Flamingo (Phoenicopterus ruber), with Chilean Flamingos (P. chilensis) in the background |
||||||||||||
| Scientific classification | ||||||||||||
|
Flamingos are gregarious wading birds in the genus Phoenicopterus and family Phoenicopteridae.
Systematics
Species
| Species | Geographic location | |
|---|---|---|
| Greater Flamingo (P. roseus) | Old World | parts of Africa and S+SW Asia, S Europe, (most widespread) |
| Lesser Flamingo (P. minor) | Africa (eg Great Rift Valley) to NW India (most numerous) | |
| Chilean Flamingo (P. chilensis) | New World | temperate S America |
| James's Flamingo (P. jamesi) | S America | |
| Andean Flamingo (P. andinus) | S America (exclusively Chilean Andes) | |
| Caribbean Flamingo (P. ruber) | Caribbean, Galapagos islands | |
Evolution
The prehistory of the Phoenicopteriformes is far better researched than their systematic affinities (see below). This is nowadays rejected, as the fossil genus Elornis, apparently a true albeit primitive flamingo, is known from the Late Eocene, before any palaelodid flamingos have been recorded. A considerable number of little-known birds from the Late Cretaceous onwards are sometimes considered to be flamingo ancestors. Middle Pleistocene) Megapaloelodus (Late Oligocene - Early Pliocene) Phoenicopteridae Elornis (Late Eocene - Early Oligocene) Prehistoric species of Phoenicopterus croizeti (Middle Oligocene - Middle Miocene of C Europe) Phoenicopterus floridanus (Early Pliocene of Florida) Phoenicopterus stocki (Middle Pliocene of Rincón, Mexico) Phoenicopterus copei (Late Pleistocene of W North America and C Mexico) Phoenicopterus minutus (Late Pleistocene of California, USA) Phoenicopterus aethiopicus
Relationships
The identity of the closest relatives of the flamingos is a rather contentious issue. Nevertheless, relationships to the Anseriformes (waterfowl) were considered as well (Sibley et al., 1969), especially as flamingos and waterfowl are parasitized by closely-related feather lice.
To reflect the uncertainty about this matter, flamingos began to be placed in their own order later on. On the other hand, since long it has been the grebes (Podicipedidae), rather than Ciconiiformes, ducks, or stilts, that were time and again indicated as the closest relatives of flamingos, and there is currently renewed interest in this hypothesis.
In conclusion, the relationships of the flamingos still cannot be resolved with any certainty, but presently a close relationship with grebes appears somewhat likelier than other proposals.
Physiology
Diet
Flamingos filter-feed on shellfish and algae.
Legs
Flamingos frequently stand on one leg.
It is interesting to note that not all flamingos stand on one leg. Its all a matter of breed
Color
Young flamingos hatch with grey plumage, but the feathers of an adult range from light pink to bright red, due to carotenoids obtained from their food supply.
Feeding
Flamingos produce a “milk” like pigeon milk due to the action of a hormone called prolactin (see Columbidae). Both parents nurse their chick, and young flamingos feed on this milk, which also contains red and white blood cells, for about two months until their bills are developed enough to filter feed. Also, fears for the future of the lesser flamingo — Phoeniconaias minor — have also been raised by plans to pipe water from one of their key breeding areas, the shores of Lake Natron.
User Comments Add a comment…