Andean Flamingo

The Andean Flamingo is a large, pale pink flamingo adapted to life on remote, high-altitude salt lakes of the central Andes, often at elevations above 4,000 meters. It shows extensive black on the wings and tail combined with pale pink body plumage, and its legs are bright yellow to orange, unique among flamingo species. It has the largest bill relative to body size of any flamingo, adapted for filtering the specific microorganisms of harsh alkaline lakes.

It breeds in some of the most extreme wetland environments on Earth, tolerating intense UV radiation, cold temperatures, and highly saline water.

Key field marks

• Pale pink body with extensive black on the wings, more than any other flamingo
• Bright yellow to orange legs, unique among flamingos
• Large, deep-based bill, mostly black with a yellow base

Similar species

• James's Flamingo is smaller with brick-red legs and less black in the wing.
• Chilean Flamingo has gray legs with pink joints rather than yellow legs.
• Both often occur together on the same high Andean lakes, making leg color the best distinguishing feature.

Habitat

Restricted to high-altitude saline and alkaline lakes and salt flats (salares) of the Andean altiplano.

Range

Found in the high Andes of Peru, Bolivia, Chile, and Argentina.

Migration

Undertakes local and seasonal movements between breeding and wintering lakes at different elevations, though it does not migrate long distances outside the Andes.

Behavior

Forages by wading through shallow, mineral-rich lake water, often alongside James's and Chilean Flamingos, and gathers in dense breeding colonies on remote salt flats.

Voice

Goose-like honking and murmuring calls, especially in flocks and at colonies.

Feeding

Filters diatoms, algae, and small invertebrates from lake water and mud using its large, specialized bill.

Nesting

Breeds colonially on mud mound nests on isolated salt lakes; lays a single white egg, with chicks vulnerable to extreme cold and predators.