American Flamingo
Phoenicopterus ruber
Conservation Status
Least ConcernAves · Phoenicopteriformes · Phoenicopteridae
About
The American flamingo is a large species of flamingo native to the West Indies, northern South America and the Yucatán Peninsula. It is closely related to the greater flamingo and Chilean flamingo, and was formerly considered conspecific with the greater flamingo, but that treatment is now widely viewed as incorrect due to a lack of evidence. It is also known as the Caribbean flamingo, although it is also present in the Galápagos Islands. It is the only flamingo that naturally inhabits North America along with the Neotropical realm.
Fun Fact
Flamingos filter feed by holding their heads upside-down in water, pumping up to 20 times per second to strain tiny organisms.
Quick Facts
Habitat
Native to the tropical south of the U.
Diet
Eat in close proximity.
Lifespan
40 years
Threats
- Habitat Change
- Human Disturbance