Lesser Flamingos
A flamingo species found in sub-Saharan, Africa. Most of the plumage is pinkish white. The clearest difference between this species and the Greater Flamingo, the only other Old World species of flamingo, is the much more extensive black on the bill. Size is less helpful unless the species are together, since the sexes of each species also differ in height. The Lesser Flamingo may be the most numerous species of flamingo, with a population that (at its peak) probably numbers up to two million individual birds. This species feeds primarily on Spirulina, algae which grow only in very alkaline lakes. Presence of flamingo herds near water bodies is indication of sodic alkaline water which is not suitable for irrigation use. Although blue-green in colour, the algae contain the photosynthetic pigments that give the birds their pink colour. Their deep bill is specialised for filtering tiny food items. The lesser flamingo also feeds on shrimp.
Size: 6016px × 4016px
Location: Kissimmee, Florida, USA
Photo credit: © Len Cohen / Alamy / Afripics
License: Royalty Free
Model Released: No
Keywords: animal, bird, flamingo, lesser, nature
