Lesser Flamingo

Out of six flamingo species, the lesser flamingo is the smallest and most numerous with around three million individuals. They live in large flocks of hundreds to thousands of birds to reduce predation risk.

If a predator is detected, a bird straightens out its S-shaped neck which is rapidly mimicked by its flock mates. The flock then flies away or performs a threat display by lunging at the predator.

Lesser flamingos inhabit salty and alkaline lakes and lagoons. They filter-feed on microorganisms with beaks held upside down. The food turns their feathers pink. In Bird Paradise, our flamingos are given a special diet to stay in the pink of health! These birds are most active at dawn and dusk, feeding most of the time. 

Extensive movements involving huge flocks occur when the living conditions become unsuitable. Lesser flamingos fly in a V formation, travelling several hundred kilometres overnight to look for suitable feeding or breeding grounds.  One satellite-tracked individual flew 525km overnight from Mauritania to Guinea Bissau!   

Flocks of males perform a mesmerising courtship dance to attract mates, including head wagging and bobbing, bowing, honking, wing salutations, broken neck posture and more.

Each display can last for hours and is repeated for days or even months. Females can be polyandrous, breeding with more than one male. Lesser flamingos pair up to build a nest of mud where one egg is laid. Parents take turns at incubation.