Birda Logo
Features
Birda+
About
Species Guide
Challenges
Shop
loading...
A photo of a American Flamingo (Phoenicopterus ruber)
American Flamingo

American Flamingo

Phoenicopterus ruber

The American flamingo, known scientifically as Phoenicopterus ruber, is a strikingly vibrant wading bird with a profusion of reddish-pink plumage. This species, the only flamingo naturally inhabiting North America, is recognized by its long, lean stature, standing 120 to 145 cm tall. The males, slightly heavier, average 2.8 kg, while females tip the scales at around 2.2 kg. The bird's plumage transitions from a paler hue during youth to the iconic pink of adults, a result of their specialized diet. The wings are adorned with red coverts and contrasting black flight feathers, while the bill is a mosaic of pink, white, and a pronounced black tip. Completing the portrait are the entirely pink legs, a feature that adds to the bird's elegance.

Identification Tips

When identifying the American flamingo, look for the following key characteristics: a large bird with predominantly pink plumage, red wing coverts, black primary and secondary flight feathers, and a distinctive bill that is pink and white with a black tip. The legs are also pink, and the bird's overall stature is tall and slender. The call of the American flamingo is a resonant, goose-like honking.

Habitat

The American flamingo favors saline lagoons, mudflats, and shallow brackish coastal or inland lakes. These environments provide the ideal conditions for the flamingo's feeding and breeding habits.

Distribution

This species is native to the West Indies, northern South America, including the Galápagos Islands, and the Yucatan Peninsula. Historically, it was also found in southern Florida, where it is now an uncommon visitor with potential small resident populations.

Behaviour

Flamingos are social birds, often seen in large flocks. They are known for their synchronized movements during courtship and their communal approach to nesting and raising young. These birds are also known for their one-legged stance, which is thought to play a role in thermoregulation.

Song & Calls

The American flamingo's vocalizations are reminiscent of a goose's honk, a loud and penetrating sound that can carry over long distances.

Breeding

Breeding pairs are usually monogamous, engaging in elaborate courtship displays that involve synchronized movements. They lay a single chalky-white egg on a mud mound, with both parents sharing incubation duties. Chicks are brooded by alternating parents and may join crèches after leaving the nest.

Similar Species

The American flamingo can be confused with the greater flamingo due to similar coloration, but the American species is smaller on average and has a different bill shape. It can also be mistaken for the roseate spoonbill; however, the spoonbill is generally smaller with a shorter neck and a spoon-shaped bill.

Diet and Feeding

The diet of the American flamingo consists of small crustaceans, mollusks, worms, nematodes, insects and their larvae, small fish, widgeon grass, seeds, and algae. They feed by stirring up the mud with their feet and filtering food through their specialized beaks.

Conservation status

The American flamingo is currently listed as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List, indicating that it does not face immediate threats to its survival. However, local populations may be affected by habitat disturbances and changes in environmental conditions.

American Flamingo Sounds



Recorded by: © 
App logo
Birda is a birdwatching app and community aimed at curious people who want to deepen their connection with nature.

American Flamingo Fun Facts

Did you know?
The American Flamingo is the national bird of Bahamas

American Flamingos on Birda

Sightings

More Flamingos

A photo of a Lesser Flamingo (Phoeniconaias minor)

Lesser Flamingo

Phoeniconaias minor
Birda Logo

Your birdwatching journey like never before

Connect with nature in minutes
Take a walk, look out of the window and log the birds that you see. Feel good about those little connections to nature.
Discover the joy of birding
Find new birding spots, see more birds, share and celebrate with a like-minded community of nature lovers.
Play your part in saving nature
Logging your birding sightings and sessions turns into positive action for our planet. Every sighting counts.

Birda Blog

What Our Birders Say
Birdafan
Ideal Birdwatch Companion
Simply adds to the enjoyment of my birdwatching and helps me record what I’ve seen.
Louise L
Easy to use and accurate
Love this app. It is easy to use and accurate, Their backup communication is really good. I noted a missing species. All through the process, I was kept informed about the progress in correcting the information. I now have the corrected, updated version. 😁 Thanks!
Carrie
Makes you want to spot birds more
I think this app is fun. It makes you want to spot birds more so I guess in a way it encourages you to get out and about instead of sitting in front of the TV.
Trevarthen1
Birda fan
I really enjoy using Birda, all sightings are recorded and photos can be added. There are monthly challenges which help to get you out to record your sightings. The Birda community are great and are happy to help with unidentified bird sightings. Suitable for all ages and experience!
EandB17
Terrific App for Birders
Downloaded Birda around the time my interest in birding was sparked, and it has been a terrific app to help me (1) share my experience, (2) document my sightings, and (3) learn more about birds in general. That said, I also believe Birda is a fantastic app for birders of all experience levels. Great community!
David C
Very knowledgeable group
Nice friendly birding community. Very knowledgeable group with a willingness to help.
Alex J
Friendly and helps to identify birds
Great birding app, good for logging your sightings, also has nice species guide. I'm enjoying the social aspect more than I expected, everyone seems friendly and helps to identify unknown birds. Good mix of newbies and experienced users.
Talli A
My favourite app
As a young birdwatcher who was always keen to be apart of a community but never seemed to find one, my problem was solved downloading this!!! Everyone is so friendly and just as excited to see birds as me 😁
Emma L
App got me interested in birding!
Super friendly community <3 This app got me interested in birding! It teaches me cool stuff and its super friendly, and fun :) The species guide is really developing my knowledge, and i love seeing cool new birds from round the world!
Marlster24
Recommend for any bird watcher
Very wholesome app: I joined this app with a new interest in watching birds to help me find out what I was spotting. The community is very active in helping identify birds which is great and everyone is very kind so it’s just a nice wholesome community. I would definitely recommend this for any bird spotter 😃
As featured in
Birda Logo
AboutPressAmbassadorsAffiliatesInfluencersCareersPrivacyTerms & Conditions
An app for birdwatchers
Connect with us
Copyright © 2024 Chirp Birding. All rights reserved.