Peru Bird Species XXI: Andean Flamingo

	Phoenicopteriformes
	Phoenicopteridae
	Phoenicoparrus
	Peru to Argentina
	Vulnerable

The Andean flamingo is the largest flamingo in South America and inhabits the high-altitude wetlands of the central Andes, ranging from southern Peru through Bolivia to northern Chile and northwestern Argentina.

Description

The Andean flamingo measures approximately 1.1 m (3.6 ft) in length and stands about 136 cm (53.5 in) tall, with a wingspan ranging from 1 to 1.6 m (3.3–5.2 ft).

Its plumage is generally pale pink with deeper pink tones, while the upper breast has a violet tint. The wings display black flight feathers that form a distinctive black triangle when folded. The bill is mostly black with a yellow base, and the legs are bright yellow, making it easy to distinguish from other flamingo species.

Young birds are grayish in color with narrow black streaks on the upperparts.

Distribution and Habitat

The Andean flamingo is native to the central Andes, occurring from southern Peru through western Bolivia to northern Chile and northwestern Argentina. It inhabits high-altitude saline lakes, lagoons, and salt flats, although it can also be found in wetlands at lower elevations.

Behavior

The species feeds exclusively on diatoms (microscopic algae), which it filters from shallow water using its specialized bill.

Andean flamingos may travel long distances between feeding areas and breeding wetlands, even while incubating eggs or raising chicks. They often form mixed colonies with the James's flamingo and the Chilean flamingo.

They build cone-shaped mud nests, and the breeding season extends from December to February. A typical clutch consists of a single egg. About ten days after the chicks hatch, many adults move to other lagoons in search of food, while groups of adult "nurse" flamingos remain behind to care for and feed the young. Chicks are able to fly at around three months of age, after which they begin dispersing, generally toward more northerly regions.

Conservation Status

The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) classifies the Andean flamingo as Vulnerable (VU) due to its relatively small population and the threats affecting its specialized high-Andean wetland habitat.

Source: Wikipedia

Photo: Holmes Pantoja