The lesser flamingo is a tall, large-bodied bird with a long neck and small head. Most flamingos, including this species, have pale pink plumage, legs, and bills. This species has a highly specialized diet consisting almost entirely of microscopic blue-green algae and benthic diatoms found only in alkaline lakes, salt pans, saline lagoons, and estuaries. Here is one reaching for water at Sylvan Heights Bird Park and creating reflections in the water.
Lesser Flamingo Reaching for Water
A Lesser Flamingo and a Scarlet Ibis are side by side at the Sylvan Heights Bird Park
Birds of a Different Kind
Flamingos spend about 15% to 30% of their time during the day preening. This is a large percentage compared to waterfowl, which preen only about 10% of the time. Flamingos preen with their bills. An oil gland near the base of the tail secretes oil that the flamingo distributes throughout its feathers.
Here is a Lesser Flamingo preening at Sylvan Heights Bird Park.
Lesser Flamingo Grooming
The Lesser Flamingo, at Sylvan Heights Bird Park, is a tall, large-bodied bird with a long neck and small head. Most flamingos, including this species, have pale pink plumage, legs, and bills. The lesser flamingo is one of the smallest and brightest of the flamingos. The smallest of the Flamingo species is the Lesser Flamingo. This native of India, Southern Asia, and sub-Saharan Africa can live for over 50 years in the wild.
Lesser Flamingo
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