Chilean Flamingo (Phoenicopterus chilensis)

Identification & Behavior: ~100 cm (39.3 in). The Chilean Flamingo is light pink or whitish depending on the bird’s age. It has bright red wings and greenish legs with conspicuous red joins and feet. The bill is nearly half black. The iris is pale at all age stages.  When standing, it shows a small amount of black feathers in the wings. It is distinguished from Andean Flamingo and James’ or Puna Flamingo by greenish legs with red joins and feet, a pale iris, nearly half of the bill black, and the presence of a fouth toe of “thumb” absent in other flamingos. It never shows the bright magenta at the base of the neck and breast. Birds in flight show bright red underwing lining.

Status: The Chilean Flamingo is the most common and widespread flamingo in Peru. It occurs at high elevations over 4500 m, as well as, at coastal wetlands. It breeds in the high Andes lakes and in coastal lagoons only when the right conditions are met. It also occurs in Ec, Br, Bo, and Ch.

Name in Spanish: Flamenco Chileno.

Sub-species: Chilean Flamingo (Phoenicopterus chilensis) Molina, 1782.

Meaning of Name:  Phoenicopterus: Gr.  Phoeni= with red feathers, kopteros=red wings. chilensis: L. originating from country of Chile.  Bird with red wings from the country of Chile.

Go to the Family Phoenicopteridae