The Greater Flamingo
The greater flamingo is the most widespread species of the flamingo family. It is found in Africa, on the Indian subcontinent, in the Middle East and southern Europe. They live in mudflats and shallow coastal lagoons with salt water. They also inhabit large alkaline and saline lakes.
They grow between 43 inches and 60 inches (110 cm and 150 cm) in height. Their body weight ranges from 2 kg to 4 kg (4.4 lbs to 8.8 lbs).The males are larger than the females.
The birds have pinkish-white plumage. The juveniles are mostly brown in color with pinkish underbellies. Their wingspan ranges between 55 inches and 65 inches. There are some red feathers in their wings. They also have black primary and secondary flight-feathers. They have yellow eyes. Their typical downward-bending beaks are pink with a black tip. Juvenile Greater Flamingos have brown beaks. Adults have pink legs while the legs of the juveniles are brown.
They are an omnivorous species feed on mollusks, crustaceans, insects, crabs, worms and small fishes and also consists of various plant materials such as algae, grass, decaying leaves and shoots.
The average lifespan of this species ranges between 30 years until 40 years in the wild. But in captivity they can live for over 60 years.
SCIENTIFIC CLASSIFICATION:
| Animalia | |
| Chordata | |
| Aves | |
| Phoenicopteriformes | |
| Phoenicopteridae | |
| Phoenicopterus | |
| Phoenicopterus roseus |
UNIQUE FACTS:
1. The palest species of flamingo.
2. The pink color comes from beta-carotene in the crustaceans and plankton that flamingos eat. Zoo flamingos will turn white if their diet is not supplemented with live shrimp or flamingo chow containing carotenoid pigments.
3. The feathers under their wings (flight feathers) are black.
4. They are the largest in size among all flamingos.
5. While sleeping, they only use on leg to stand.
QUESTIONS & ANSWERS:
1. What is the scientific name?
a. Phoenicopteriformes
b. Phoenicopteridae
c. Phoenicopterus
d. Phoenicopterus roseus
2. Where the greater flamingo live?
a. Mudflats
b. In the sea
c. Lake
d. In the house
3. Where the pink color comes from?
a. Fikoeretin
b. Beta carotene
c. Fikosantin
d. Chlorophyll
4. Their lifespan is between ... and ...
a. 2 years until10 years
b. 11 years until 15 years
c. 15 years until 20 years
d. 20 years until 30 years
5. What color their flight feathers?
a. Grey
b. Black
c. Purple
d. Yellow
