American Flamingoベニイロフラミンゴ

Species Data

Classification

Phoenicopteriformes / Phoenicopteridae Source

Distribution

Native to the West Indies, northern South America including the Galápagos Islands, and the Yucatán Peninsula; formerly common in southern Florida, where it is now rare. Source

Did You Know?

• It is the only flamingo species naturally found in North America, and parents of both sexes guard young birds for about six years until they reach sexual maturity. Source
• Its trachea is longer than its own body with about 330 cartilaginous rings, and salt glands at the base of the bill let it excrete excess salt, allowing it to live in highly saline water. Source

FAQ

Why is the American flamingo pink?

Its pink-to-scarlet plumage comes from carotenoid pigments in the crustaceans, algae, and other small organisms it filters from the water; the color intensity depends on diet. Source

Where does the American flamingo live?

It is found in the West Indies, coastal northern South America including the Galápagos Islands, and the Yucatán Peninsula, favoring salt lagoons, mudflats, and shallow saline lakes. Source