About Phoenicopterus chilensis Molina, 1782
Plumage Comparison
The Chilean flamingo (Phoenicopterus chilensis Molina, 1782) has pinker plumage than the slightly larger greater flamingo, but less pink plumage than the American flamingo.
Distinguishing Physical Features
It can be told apart from these two species by several features: its grayish legs with pink joints, the large amount of black (more than half) on its bill, and that it is one foot shorter than the American flamingo.
Juvenile Plumage
Young Chilean flamingo chicks may have no pink coloring at all, and instead are gray or peach.
Plumage Development
They slowly develop their pink color as carotenoid pigments from their diet build up in their feathers.
Sexual Maturity
Chilean flamingos reach sexual maturity at 6 years old.
Lifespan
They have one of the longest lifespans of any bird, living up to 50 years in the wild and up to 40 years in captivity.
