Greater and Lesser Flamingo

Greater and Lesser Flamingo

Description

The Lesser Flamingo is smaller and usually a richer pink colour than the Greater Flamingo, and with a maroon bill.  The best places to see these birds are Sua Pan and Nata Sanctuary at the eastern end of the Makgadikgadi Pan, and the best time from mid-April to end May depending on local rains.

Voice

The call of the Lesser is a high-pitched honking sound, while that of the Greater is a goose-like double honking given in flight.

Behaviour and habitat

They prefer shallow wetlands, especially saltpans. The food of the Lesser is microscopic blue-green algae and diatoms, while that of the Greater is aquatic invertebrates and brine fly.

They are monogamous; live in colonies and build conical mud nests.