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Photo: Luca Galuzzi (Lucag) / CC BY-SA 2.5 (Wikimedia Commons)

Andean Flamingo

Phoenicoparrus andinus

Andean Flamingo (Phoenicoparrus andinus) — Grebes, Loons & Flamingos of South America.

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The Andean Flamingo (Phoenicoparrus andinus) is a member of the Phoenicopteridae family found in South America. Adults weigh 4.9 kg. The IUCN Red List lists it as Vulnerable.

VU Vulnerable

Facing a high risk of extinction in the wild.

Where it fits

  1. Class Aves
  2. Order Phoenicopteriformes
  3. Family Phoenicopteridae Flamingos
  4. Genus Phoenicoparrus
  5. Species andinus

Where it lives

Southern Peru, western Bolivia, northern Chile and northwestern Argentina

Quick facts

Weight
4.9 kg

How to identify

Similar birds

Biology & behaviour

Diet

The Andean Flamingo feeds mainly on aquatic plants and algae.

Behaviour

A bird of wetlands, it forages mainly on the ground.

Migration

The Andean Flamingo is largely sedentary, staying within its range year-round rather than making regular long-distance migrations.

The Andean Flamingo (Phoenicoparrus andinus) is a species of bird in the Phoenicopteridae family, part of the order Phoenicopteriformes. It occurs naturally across South America. Its distribution covers SA s Peru, w Bolivia, n Chile and nw Argentina.

It is a very large bird. Adults weighs around 4.9 kg, with a wing length of about 42.5 cm and a tail of around 21.3 cm.

It is classified as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List and is a focus of conservation concern. Vulnerable species face a high risk of extinction in the wild if pressures continue.

The species has a mapped global range of roughly 190,000 km².

Songs & calls

Andean Flamingo — Call

Recorded by Peter Boesman Licence: CC BY-NC-ND 4.0

Frequently asked questions

How big is the Andean Flamingo?

The Andean Flamingo is a very large bird that weighs around 4.9 kg.

Where does the Andean Flamingo live?

The Andean Flamingo is found across South America with a range covering SA s Peru, w Bolivia, n Chile and nw Argentina, where it is associated with wetlands, lakes and other open water.

What family does the Andean Flamingo belong to?

The Andean Flamingo (Phoenicoparrus andinus) belongs to the Phoenicopteridae family, in the order Phoenicopteriformes.

What does the Andean Flamingo eat?

The Andean Flamingo feeds mainly on aquatic plants and algae.

Does the Andean Flamingo migrate?

The Andean Flamingo is largely sedentary, staying within its range year-round rather than making regular long-distance migrations.

Is the Andean Flamingo endangered?

It is classified as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List and is a focus of conservation concern Vulnerable species face a high risk of extinction in the wild if pressures continue.

What sound does the Andean Flamingo make?

1 real field recording of the Andean Flamingo — including its call — can be played in the Songs & calls section on this page, credited to the recordist who captured it.

How large is the Andean Flamingo's range?

The Andean Flamingo has a mapped global range of about 190,000 km².

Conservation

Vulnerable

Every bird benefits from bird-safe windows, native plants, and keeping cats indoors. Small changes at home add up to real protection.

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