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The '''Greater flamingo''' (''Phoenicopterus roseus'') is the most widespread species of the flamingo family. It is found in the [[wetlands]] areas of [[Africa]], southwest [[Europe]], and [[South Asia]]. This is the largest species of flamingo, averaging up to 5 feet tall, and weighing 8 lbs. Their wingspan is 4 to 6 feet. Greater flamingos live up to 20 years in the wild. Their diet consists of [[seeds]], [[algae]], and small [[invertebrate]]s. | The '''Greater flamingo''' (''Phoenicopterus roseus'') is the most widespread species of the flamingo family. It is found in the [[wetlands]] areas of [[Africa]], southwest [[Europe]], and [[South Asia]]. This is the largest species of flamingo, averaging up to 5 feet tall, and weighing 8 lbs. Their wingspan is 4 to 6 feet. Greater flamingos live up to 20 years in the wild. Their diet consists of [[seeds]], [[algae]], and small [[invertebrate]]s. | ||
The bird lives in [[mudflats]] and shallow coastal [[lagoons]] with [[salt water]]. Using its feet, the bird stirs up the mud, then sucks water through its bill and filters out small [[shrimp]], seeds, blue-green [[algae]], microscopic organisms and [[molluscs]]. The greater flamingo feeds with its head down. Its upper jaw is movable and not rigidly fixed to its skull.<ref name=stanford-flamingo>{{cite web |title=Flamingo Feeding |publisher=Stanford University |url=http://www.stanford.edu/group/stanfordbirds/text/essays/Flamingo_Feeding.html |access-date=11 March 2013}}</ref> | The bird lives in [[mudflats]] and shallow coastal [[lagoons]] with [[salt water]]. Using its feet, the bird stirs up the mud, then sucks water through its bill and filters out small [[shrimp]], seeds, blue-green [[algae]], microscopic organisms and [[molluscs]]. The greater flamingo feeds with its head down. Its upper jaw is movable and not rigidly fixed to its skull.<ref name=stanford-flamingo>{{cite web |title=Flamingo Feeding |publisher=Stanford University |url=http://www.stanford.edu/group/stanfordbirds/text/essays/Flamingo_Feeding.html |access-date=11 March 2013}}</ref> | ||
== References == | == References == | ||
{{Reflist}} | {{Reflist}} | ||
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[[Category:Birds of Africa]] | [[Category:Birds of Africa]] | ||
[[Category:Birds of Pakistan]] | [[Category:Birds of Pakistan]] | ||