top of page
Birds and Butterflies of Rhodes
RODOPTERA
Phoenicopterus roseus
Greater flamingo. Greek: φοινικόπτερο. Tigaki lagoon, Kos Island, April 2004.
Winter visitor, September to May. Height 110-150 cm, wingspan 140-170 cm. Sexes similar. Filter-feeds on small aquatic invertebrates, algae, seeds of aquatic grasses. Very social behavior. Flocks perform synchronized mating rituals (dances) such as neck stretching, wing spreading, marching in clusters or single file. Graceful flight with shallow wing beats and gliding spells. Runs with wing beats to take off, glides to landing with braking steps on touch-down. Migrates at night.
bottom of page