pinkish plumage; extensive black on red bill (Zoo; 2008-10-21)


Lesser Flamingo
Phoenicopterus minor

Native Range: Africa

Notes: the smallest and most numerous of all flamingo species; told from sympatric Greater Flamingo by somewhat smaller size and more black on the bill; feeds on algae and shrimp in the saline lakes of eastern Africa; pinkish tinge to the plumage is derived from pigments in those incested food items.

long neck and long pink legs;(Zoo; 2008-10-21)
dorsal view; black posterior margin on the wing (Zoo; 2008-10-21)

courting (Zoo; 2008-10-21)
flapping; note the pink webbed feet (Zoo; 2008-10-21)
portrait showing large black areas on the bill; yellow iris (Zoo; 2008-10-21)