page_title: Greater flamingo
section_title: Description
hierarchical_section_title: Greater flamingo / Description
caption_attribution_description: Deutsch: Rosaflamingos auf Nahrungssuche bei Walvis Bay (Namibia) English: Greater flamingo feeding at Walvis Bay (Namibia)
context_page_description: The greater flamingo is the most widespread and largest species of the flamingo family. It is found in Africa, on the Indian subcontinent, in the Middle East, and in southern Europe.
context_section_description: 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 largest male flamingos have been recorded at up to 187 cm (74 in) tall and 4.5 kg (9.9 lb).
  Most of the plumage is pinkish-white, but the wing coverts are red and the primary and secondary flight feathers are black. The bill is pink with a restricted black tip, and the legs are entirely pink. The call is a goose-like honking.
  Chicks are covered in gray fluffy down. Subadult flamingos are paler with dark legs. Adults feeding chicks also become paler, but retain the bright pink legs. The coloration comes from the carotenoid pigments in the organisms that live in their feeding grounds. 
  Secretions of the uropygial gland also contain carotenoids.  During the breeding season, greater flamingos increase the frequency of their spreading uropygial secretions over their feathers and thereby enhance their color.  This cosmetic use of uropygial secretions has been described as applying "make-up".
caption: Greater flamingo feeding at Walvis Bay (Namibia)
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