Size The greater flamingo is the tallest flamingo, standing 20 to 150 cm (47-59 in.) and weighing up to kg lbs.). Males reach full size between one-and-a-half and two years. Male flamingos are slightly larger than females

Distribution  

All flamingos are found in tropical and subtropical areas.

Populations of Chilean flamingos are found in central Peru, both coasts of southern South America (mainly in the winter), Argentina, Uruguay, Paraguay, Peru, Bolivia, and southern Brazil. Stragglers have been reported on the Falkland Islands and Ecuador.

The lesser flamingo is primarily an African species. Populations are found in eastern, southwestern, and western Africa. In addition, a sizable population nests in India. Stragglers can be found as far north as southern Spain.

The James' flamingo has the most restricted range of all flamingo species. They are found in southern Peru, northeastern Chile, western Bolivia, and northwestern Argentina.

Andean flamingos are found in southern Peru, north-central Chile, western Bolivia, and northwestern Argentina.

The Caribbean flamingo is found throughout the Caribbean ( Cuba, the Bahamas, the Yucatan, Turks and Caicos), the Galapagos Islands, and the northern part of coastal South America.

The greater flamingo has the most widespread distribution of all flamingo species. Populations are found in northwest India, the Middle East, the western Mediterranean, and Africa. Limited numbers of this species can be found over much of northern Europe and eastward to Siberia.

Habitat

The flamingo's most characteristic habitats are large alkaline or saline lakes or estuarine lagoons that usually lack vegetation. Lakes may be far inland or near the sea.

A variety of habitats are used by flamingos: mangrove swamps, tidal flats, and sandy islands in the intertidal zone.

The presence or absence of fish may have a great influence on the use of lakes by some flamingos.

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  The Chilean flamingo is scarce or absent in lakes with fish. It is present, usually in large numbers, where there are no fish with which to compete for food.
  
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  The introduction of fish to some lakes may seriously affect the distribution of the Chilean flamingo as well as the greater and Caribbean flamingos, since they all feed primarily on invertebrates. Other flamingo species are not affected because of different food sources.