During the breeding season, greater flamingos increase the frequency of their spreading uropygial secretions over their feathers and thereby enhance their color. Secretions of the uropygial gland also contain carotenoids. The coloration comes from the carotenoid pigments in the organisms that live in their feeding grounds. Adults feeding chicks also become paler, but retain the bright pink legs. Subadult flamingos are paler with dark legs. The call is a goose-like honking.Ĭhicks are covered in gray fluffy down. The bill is pink with a restricted black tip, and the legs are entirely pink. Most of the plumage is pinkish-white, but the wing coverts are red and the primary and secondary flight feathers are black. The largest male flamingos have been recorded at up to 187 cm (74 in) tall and 4.5 kg (9.9 lb). The greater flamingo is the largest living species of flamingo, averaging 110–150 cm (43–59 in) tall and weighing 2–4 kg (4.4–8.8 lb). The greater flamingo has no subspecies and is therefore monotypic. It was previously thought to be the same species as the American flamingo ( Phoenicopterus ruber), but because of coloring differences of its head, neck, body, and bill, the two flamingos are now most commonly considered separate species. The greater flamingo was described by Peter Simon Pallas in 1811. Common in the Old World, they are found in Northern (coastal) and Sub-Saharan Africa, the Indian Subcontinent (south of the Himalayas), the Middle East, the Levant, the Persian Gulf, the Gulf of Aden, the Red Sea, and the Mediterranean countries of Southern Europe. The greater flamingo ( Phoenicopterus roseus) is the most widespread and largest species of the flamingo family.
0 kommentar(er)
