Phoenicopterus minor
Despite being the world’s most numerous flamingo, this bird is classified as 'near' threatened due to its lack of suitable breeding sites.
The name flamingo is originally comes from the Portuguese language and means "red goose", which is a reference to the noise they make and their flying formation.
Appearance
The smallest flamingo, they have pale pink plumage and legs. Females tend to be smaller than males.
Location
The primary range states are Botswana, Ethiopia, Guinea, India, Kenya, Mauritania, Namibia, South Africa, Tanzania and Uganda. Global population East Africa between 1.5 and 2.5 million; southern Africa - 50,000; west Africa – up to 40,000; south Asia – up to 400,000.
Threats
Pollution, disease and habitat loss, exacerbated by climate change and drought. Many colonies are under great stress from hydrological developments which can change the natural water levels at feeding and breeding sites.
Habitat
Chiefly, shallow saline lakes and salt pans.
Food
Mainly a blue green alga calle Spirulina.
Voice
Lesser flamingo's feeding or walking call is a low murmuring "murrrh-murrrh-errh". Their flight call is a high pitched "kwirrik".
See them at a WWT centre
Slimbridge.