Andean Flamingo

Phoenicoparrus andinus

A high-altitude Andean flamingo distinguished by yellow legs and a black tail contrasting with pale pink body plumage.

Feather type: Long body plumes and black flight feathers
Colours: Pale pink body with yellow legs and black tail
Bird size: Large, ~100-110 cm

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Overview

The Andean Flamingo is a high-altitude specialist among flamingos, inhabiting some of the highest and harshest saline lakes in South America. It is notable for its yellow legs, a feature unique among flamingo species, along with a black tail contrasting against pale pink plumage.

One of the rarest flamingo species
Adapted to extreme high-altitude Andean lake environments
Distinctive yellow legs unique among flamingos

Identifying the Feather

Feather Identification

Andean Flamingo feathers show a combination of pale pink body plumage with a notably dark tail.

Body feathers: pale pink overall, similar in tone to several other South American flamingo species
Tail feathers: black, more extensively dark than in most other flamingo species, forming a visible dark patch at the rear
Flight feathers: black, consistent with other flamingos, visible mainly in flight
Covert feathers: some pink to pale rose tinge, generally less saturated than in the American or Lesser Flamingos
Compared to similar species: the black tail feathers are more prominent than in the Chilean or James's Flamingos, and combined with yellow legs (a non-feather trait), this helps confirm the species when feather tone alone is ambiguous

Plumage & Molt

Plumage Notes

Sexes look alike, with plumage tone tied to diet rather than sex. Juveniles are grey-brown initially, gradually developing pale pink coloring and the darker tail pattern with maturity.

No plumage-based sexual dimorphism
Juvenile plumage lacks the adult pink tone and dark tail contrast at first
Molt is gradual, with the tail and body coloring developing over successive cycles

Habitat & Range

Restricted to high-altitude saline lakes in the Andes, spanning parts of Peru, Bolivia, Chile, and Argentina.

Occupies some of the highest elevation wetlands used by any flamingo species
Some populations show seasonal movement between high-altitude breeding lakes and lower elevation sites
Considered one of the rarest and most range-restricted flamingo species

Behavior & Field Notes

Andean Flamingos are social but generally occur in smaller numbers than the more abundant Chilean or Lesser Flamingos.

Diet: small aquatic invertebrates and algae filtered from shallow saline water
Nesting: builds raised mud mound nests in colonies on remote high-altitude lake islands or shorelines
Voice: honking calls similar to other flamingo species, given at colonies and in flight
Field notes: often found alongside Chilean and James's Flamingos at high Andean lakes, so the more extensively black tail and yellow legs are useful confirming features alongside overall body feather tone

Frequently asked questions

What feather feature helps identify the Andean Flamingo?

A more extensively black tail compared to related species, combined with pale pink body plumage, helps distinguish this species from other Andean flamingos.

Where does the Andean Flamingo live?

It is restricted to high-altitude saline lakes in the Andes across Peru, Bolivia, Chile, and Argentina.

Is the Andean Flamingo rare?

Yes, it is considered one of the rarest and most range-restricted flamingo species.

How does it differ from the Chilean Flamingo?

The Andean Flamingo shows a more extensively black tail and yellow legs, while the Chilean Flamingo has grey legs with pink joints.

Andean Flamingo guides

In-depth guides for identifying and understanding Andean Flamingo.

How to Identify Andean Flamingo Feathers

A field guide to distinguishing the pale pink body plumes and black flight feathers of the Andean Flamingo from other high-Andes flamingos.

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