Chilean flamingo

Scientific Name: Phoenicopterus chilensis Animal Type: Bird Location: Native to Chile, although it is also found in southern Peru, Bolivia, Uruguay, Paraguay, Argentina and southern Brazil. Conservation Status: Near Threatened

Profile

 

These elegant pink birds have long been a source of great fascination for humans, as well as an edible resource. Historically, people have used flamingo eggs as a staple food and a delicacy, and today, in some places, eggs are removed from nests and sold at markets. In early Roman times, flamingo tongues were carefully prepared, pickled and served as a delicacy, and Andean miners have killed the birds for their fat, believing it to be a cure for tuberculosis.

They are threatened throughout much of their distribution by a combination of habitat loss, pollution, disturbance and egg collection. Apart from their colour, flamingos are known for their characteristic one-legged stance, which is actually the most comfortable way to stand for long periods, as each leg is rested in turn (this also helps with regulating body temperature –warming one leg in cold weather or cooling it in hot weather helps keep the bird’s blood at the right temperature). Of course a good sense of balance is essential!

Factsheets

• Chilean Flamingo factsheet (57 kb)

Video

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Other Near Threatened Animals Chestnut-backed thrush Goeldi's monkey Maned wolf Nicobar pigeon Oriental short-clawed otter Red-fronted brown lemur Sunda wrinkled hornbill White-handed gibbon