Phoenicopterus chilensis
Diet: Omnivore; invertebrates, algae
Lifespan: 50 years
Range/Habitat: South America, shallow salty lakes and lagoons
Conservation Status: NT near threatened
The Chilean flamingo’s pink color comes from the caretenoid pigments of the tiny animals they eat. They are lighter pink than the Caribbean flamingo, have grey legs and pink knees, and a bill which is more than 1/2 black. These birds are very social and live flocks that can number thousands. Flamingos are filter feeders, straining invertebrates out of the mud they strip up with their feet. Nest are made by piling mud into a mound upon which an egg is laid. Habitat loss poses the greatest risk to these birds.
