Chilean flamingo

Phoenicopterus chilensis

Chilean flamingo side on and front on in water IMAGE: Amy Middleton (2022)

Status

NE DD LC NT VU EN CR EW EX

For more info on classifications visit www.iucnredlist.org

There is a large flock of Chilean flamingos here at Edinburgh Zoo.

Our eldest flamingos were born in 1961 while the youngest individual hatched in 2016. 

Population

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Decreasing

Diet

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Omnivore

Habitat

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Rivers and wetlands

Fact file

  • They grow to 80-145cm tall and have a long neck and small head

  • Close to threatened, their population is thought to consist of around 200,000 individuals

Chilean flamingo side on in water IMAGE: Amy Middleton (2022)

How we're helping

Like all the animals in our care our Chilean flamingos are amazing ambassadors for their relatives in the wild and help hundreds of thousands of people connect with nature every year. They encourage visitors to learn about the threats facing wildlife and the action they can take to help create a world where nature is protected, valued and loved.

As a wildlife conservation charity, we care for the animals here at the zoo and work to protect species at risk around the world. From providing expertise in genetics and veterinary health, to protecting wild places with local conservation partners, and even restoring threatened species to the wild, we are active where we are needed most.

Find out more about RZSS conservation