Physical Characteristics
- The greater flamingo is the tallest flamingo, standing 43-51 in. and weighing up to 7.7 lb.
- The lesser flamingo is the smallest flamingo, standing 31.5 in. and weighing only 5.5 lb.
- Males reach full size between 1.5-2 years.
- Male flamingos are slightly larger than females, weighing more and having longer wingspans;
- Visual sex determination of flamingos is unreliable.
- The wingspan of flamingos ranges from 37-39 in.
- Feather color varies with species, ranging from pale pink to crimson or vermilion
- Feather coloration is derived from carotenoid pigments found in a flamingo's food
- Male and female flamingo coloration is the same.
- Newly-hatched chicks are gray or white
- Juveniles are grayish and take one to two years to obtain full adult color
- Parents may lose some of their pink coloration while raising young.
- Coloration of a flamingo's legs and feet varies according to species - from yellow to orange or pink-red.