Lesser Flamingo
A species of Lesser Flamingo Scientific name : Phoeniconaias minor Genus : Lesser Flamingo
Lesser Flamingo, A species of Lesser Flamingo
Botanical name: Phoeniconaias minor
Genus: Lesser Flamingo
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Description People often ask General Info
Photo By Lip Kee , used under CC-BY-SA-2.0 /Cropped and compressed from original
Description
The lesser flamingo (Phoeniconaias minor) is a species of flamingo occurring in sub-Saharan Africa and northwestern India. Birds are occasionally reported from further north, but these are generally considered vagrants.
Size
90 cm
Colors
Black
Red
White
Pink
Life Expectancy
50 years
Feeding Habits
Lesser Flamingo predominantly consumes Spirulina algae, thriving in highly alkaline lakes. They employ specialized filter-like beaks to sieve food from water, exhibiting unique dietary adaptions for this micro-algae preference.
Habitat
Lesser Flamingo typically inhabits inland saline or alkaline lakes, coastal lagoons, and estuaries. These environments often feature large mudflats which are preferred breeding grounds, located considerable distances from the shore. Adapted to a specialized diet, lesser Flamingo frequents waters with higher alkalinity than the closely related species, Phoenicopterus ruber. Common across broad geographical regions of Africa and Asia, lesser Flamingo showcases remarkable resilience to extreme and fluctuating aquatic habitats.
Dite type
Aquatic invertebrate eater
People often ask
General Info
Species Status
Despite being the most numerous species of flamingo, it is classified as near threatened due to its declining population and the low number of breeding sites, some of which are threatened by human activities. The population in the two key East African lakes, Nakuru and Bogoria, have been adversely affected in recent years by suspected heavy metal poisoning, while its primary African breeding area in Lake Natron is currently under threat by a proposed soda ash plant by Tata Chemicals. The only breeding site in South Africa, situated at Kamfers Dam, is threatened by pollution and encroaching development. The lesser flamingo is one of the species to which the Agreement on the Conservation of African-Eurasian Migratory Waterbirds applies.
Photo By Lip Kee , used under CC-BY-SA-2.0 /Cropped and compressed from original
Scientific Classification
Phylum
Chordates Class
Birds Order
Flamingos Family
Flamingos Genus
Lesser Flamingo Species
Lesser Flamingo