Lesser Flamingo

About the Lesser Flamingo
Birdorable Lesser Flamingo

The Lesser Flamingo is the smallest and most numerous of all flamingo species. It stands about 3 feet tall and is easily recognized by its pink plumage, long legs, and distinctive downward-bent beak. The beak is specialized for filter-feeding on algae and small crustaceans, which give these birds their pink coloration.

These flamingos inhabit saline lakes and alkaline lakes in sub-Saharan Africa and India. They form large colonies, sometimes numbering in the thousands, creating spectacular sights. The lakes they choose are often inhospitable to other animals due to high salinity, but Lesser Flamingos thrive in these extreme conditions.

Lesser Flamingos are known for their intricate courtship displays, involving synchronized marching and head-turning. They lay a single egg on a mud mound, and both parents share incubation duties. Despite their large populations, they face threats from habitat loss and water pollution, impacting their breeding grounds.

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