Phoenicoparrus jamesi

(Sclater, 1886)

Vernacular names
English : Puna flamingo
French : Flamant de James

Classification
Class : Aves
Order : Phoenicopteriformes
Family : Phoenicopteridae
Notes : No subspecies known

Identification
Total length is 92 cm for a weight of 2 kg. Unmistakable. Pinkish coloration with bright red streaks on breast. Only flamingo species with yellow bill, red bill base and black tip. Bright red legs.

Range and habitat
Andes in extreme south Peru, western Bolivia, north Chile and north-western Argentina. Only lives around salt lakes on Andean altiplano, above 3500 m.

Conservation
IUCN RED LIST : NEAR THREATENED
CITES : Appendix II
Status : The species breeds on very few locations. Egg collecting and disturbance from humane activities were great threats. Species is now protected and numbers may have started to increase after many years of decline.
Ex-Situ Programs : None known

Observation
Berlin Zoo (Germany)

 

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