Classification of Phoenicopterus (Flamingo)
- Phylum :- Chordata (Dorsal tubular nerve cord, notochord and gill-slits present.)
- Group :- Craniata (Definite head, Cranium with brain present.)
- Sub phylum :- Vertebrata (Vertebral column present.)
- Division :- Gnathostomata (Jaws and paired appendages present.)
- Super Class :- Tetrapoda (Paired limbs, lungs, cornified skin and bony skeleton.)
- Class :- Aves (Biped and feathered vertebrates.)
- Sub Class :- Neornithes (True birds. Metacarpals fused.)
- Super Order :- Neognathae (Modern birds. no teeth. sternum keeled.)
- Order :- Ciconiiformes (Long legged and long necked wading birds.)
- Genus :- Phoenicopterus
Geographical distribution
Phoenicopterus is found in Afganistan, India, South France, East Africa, South Spain, West Siberia, and Sri Lanka. It is tropical and sub-tropical. Eocene to Recent.
Habit and habitat
It is found in flocks on shallow jheels, and tidal mudflats, ponds and lakes. The flocks consist of many hundreds of individuals. The birds wade into shallow water and feed with their head immersed. They feed on small molluscs, crustaceans, insect larvae, worms, seeds of marshes and organic ooze. It flies rapidly and can swim in water.
General Characteristics of Phoenicopterus (Flamingo)
- Commonly called as Flamingo. Body divided into head, neck, back and breast.
- It is a pale, rosy-white bird, 1.25 meter tall, with elongated pink legs and long sinuous neck, which are extended during flight.
- The white plumage contrasts with scarlet wing coverts and black primaries.
- Head contains eyes and beak.
- The large pink bill is down curved.
- The fleshy tongue works like a plunger. Web present between toes.
- Wing feathers on back.
- Many nests are formed in colonies on mud flats in tropical brackish water.
- Eggs are unspotted.
Special Features
When at rest flamingos usually stand on one leg with the long neck coiled around and the head tucked away under the feathers of the back. The Raj Hans or Bog Hans is famous for its beautiful, majestic and gracious walk.
Identification
Since the bird has elongated legs with webbed toes and all above features, hence it is Flamingo.
