Flamingos are common in Africa, the Caucasus (Azerbaijan), Southeast and Central Asia, and also in South and Central America.
Colonies of pink, or ordinary, flamingos also exist in the south of Spain, France and Sardinia. This species is the largest and most widespread species in the family. Its growth reaches 130 cm and it occurs on all continents of the Old World.
Flamingos live in large colonies along the shores of shallow water bodies or lagoons. Colonies of flamingos often number hundreds of thousands of individuals. However, poaching and the ruin of flamingo nests led to a worldwide reduction in their population. Flamingos lead, basically, a sedentary lifestyle, only northern populations of pink flamingos are migratory.
Flamingos can cope even with extreme environmental conditions, in which only a few other species of animals survive. For example, they occur in very salty or alkaline lakes. This is due to the presence of a large population of crustaceans (such as Artemia) in highly saline water bodies, where fish do not live due to high salinity. Crayfish are the main food of flamingos. Flamingos can also be found on high-altitude lakes. In addition, they are able to tolerate very large temperature changes.
They are able to stay in an aggressive environment with dense skin on their legs. In the surrounding water, due to bird litters, pathogenic microorganisms develop, and even a slight scratch on the skin can lead to inflammation. Periodically, birds visit fresh sources near the feeding place to quench their thirst and wash away salt.
