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Greater Flamingo
Phoenicopteridae: Phoenicopterus roseus (also ruber)
The Greater Flamingo is widespread in southern Europe and in parts of Asia and in Africa. It is up to 140cm in height. It feeds on small crustaceans as well as green algae. It disturbs the mud underwater to bring out the crustaceans and filters them from the muddy water in its beak, which is why it is seen feeding in shallower water than the Lesser Flamingo, which feeds more exclusively on algae which live in the water.
Greater Flamingos do not breed at Lake Nakuru, because the land is too exposed. They breed at Lake Elmenteita and Lake Natron. Great masses of flamingos are not visible at Nakuru when the birds are breeding elsewhere.
