Greater Flamingo

Introduction: Greater flamingos (Phoenicopterus ruber) breed at large, flooded shallow salt pans as well as coastal mudflats, inland dams, small ephemeral rivers, river mouths and sewage treatment works. Flocks of tens to tens of thousands, usually with lesser flamingos, are common.

Distribution: Scattered population in southern, central and northern Namibia as well as Sandwich Harbour, Swakopmund, Skeleton Coast, Cape Cross, Etosha National Park, Luderitz, lower Orange River, Kaudom Game Park and Tsumkwe. Up to 38,000 non-breeding birds have been observed at Walvis Bay, where the oldest known African bird of 30 years was recorded.

Diet: Wades belly-deep in water with bill upside down, filtering small invertebrates from the mud. Eats brine shrimps, brine flies, molluscs and diatoms.

Description: Overall pale pink in colour with yellow eyes and bright coral pink legs and feet. Often confused with the smaller lesser flamingo.

Breeding: Males scrape mud towards themselves and vibrate it into place with their bills. Nests are sited on far-out islands on flooded salt pans. Females only lay 1 egg (rarely 2) at the earliest in November in Etosha Pan, more often in January and February elsewhere and incubated by both male and female for around 30 days. Up to 27,000 pairs breed at Etosha Pan,

Size: 165cm.

Weight: Up to 3.5kg.