Greater Flamingo

The greater flamingo occurs across Africa, southern Europe, the Middle East, and southern and southwestern Asia. It frequents broad, shallow saline or alkaline wetlands, including coastal lagoons, salt lakes, estuaries, and mudflats. Adults stand approximately 120–145 cm tall and have a wingspan of roughly 140–165 cm. Their pale pink plumage, extremely long legs and neck, black-tipped down-curved bill, and crimson wing coverts make them unmistakable. Males are generally larger than females, though their plumage is similar. (Animal Diversity Web)

Greater flamingos filter algae, diatoms, seeds, aquatic vegetation, crustaceans, mollusks, worms, and insect larvae from water and soft sediment using specialized plates inside the bill. They are highly social and breed in large colonies following synchronized group displays. Both members of a pair construct a raised mud nest and usually produce a single egg. Incubation is shared and lasts twenty-seven to thirty-one days. After hatching, the chick is fed nutrient-rich crop secretion by both parents before joining communal groups of young birds. (Animal Diversity Web)