American Flamingo
Where to Look
- Bachas Beach, Santa Cruz
- Rabida
- Floreana
- Lagoons on larger islands
Related Galapagos Species
White-cheeked Pintail
Identification
Unmistakeable. The Galapagos’ only resident flamingo.
Description
A bright pink bird with a long redish pink neck, long pink legs, a pale yellow eye and a pink bill with a white base and a black tip. Males and females look similar, but males are significantly larger. Juveniles are light brown with whitish underparts, and pale brown legs and bills, gradually gaining pink coloration as they mature.
Galapagos Distribution
This species breeds on Isabela, Santa Cruz, Rabida, Floreana and Santiagos but may be seen at any suitably shallow wetland throughout the archepelago.
Global Distribution
Outside of the Galapagos, there is a population of roughly 300, 000 American Flamingos distributed throughout the Carribean, including the Carribean coastlines of Mexico, Colombia and Venezuela.
Status in the Galapagos
Although this Galapagos resident has one of the smallest populations of any bird in the archipelago (roughly 500 individuals), it is regularly encountered at suitable visitor sites.
Conservation
Although the species is listed as Least Concern, due to its small size, the Galapagos population is inherintly threatened by climatic shifts and nest predation by introduced species such as pigs.