American flamingo

Phoenicopterus ruber

A vivid pink flamingo of Caribbean lagoons and saline lakes, using its bent bill to filter food from shallow water.

Key facts

American flamingo (Phoenicopterus ruber) is a filter feeder animal classified as Bird · Phoenicopteriformes · Phoenicopteridae.
Primary habitats are coast · freshwater, with a range across Neotropical · Nearctic · Atlantic Ocean.
Activity is diurnal, sociality is herd, and conservation status is LC (Least Concern).
A vivid pink flamingo of Caribbean lagoons and saline lakes, using its bent bill to filter food from shallow water.
Occurs around the Caribbean, Yucatan, Galapagos, and northern South America in salt lakes, tidal flats, and coastal lagoons.

Habitat range map

Native rangeOccasional / Transient

Map: Ecoregions 2017 © RESOLVE (CC BY 4.0) · Natural Earth (PD)

Occurs around the Caribbean, Yucatan, Galapagos, and northern South America in salt lakes, tidal flats, and coastal lagoons.

The body is deep pink to reddish, with long legs and neck. The large bill bends downward for filter feeding.

Large flocks feed with heads lowered and bills held upside down in the water. Breeding colonies perform group displays.

It filters algae, tiny crustaceans, and other invertebrates, and pigments in food influence the pink plumage.

Eggs are laid on cone-shaped mud nests. Adults feed chicks with a rich crop secretion.

Although conspicuous in tourist areas, breeding colonies are sensitive to water changes and disturbance.