Flamingos at Discovery Island - Disney Animals

Flock over to see the largest flamingo species—the greater flamingo—on the Kilimanjaro Safaris attraction, Wild Africa Trek and Savor the Savanna.

A smaller flamingo species (the lesser flamingo) strolls the grounds under the Tree of Life.

Visit Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge and you may spot flamingos roaming the savanna near Jambo House.

Flamingos in the Wild
There are 6 species of flamingos: greater, lesser, American, Andean, Chilean and Puna. They can be found on every continent in the world except Antarctica. Flamingos live near large bodies of water, like shallow lakes and lagoons. It’s common for flamingos to form huge flocks of 10,000 birds or more.

Our animal care experts cater to the unique needs of flamingos.

Enriching Environments
Animal care experts will moisten the mud near nesting locations during breeding season, as flamingos will only build their nests using wet soil. In the lesser flamingo exhibits, mirrors are added to create the illusion of a larger flock, imitating the large social groups they have in the wild.

Small crustaceans, called krill, are scattered throughout the shallow water to encourage feeding behavior in the greater flamingos—it’s like a buffet dinner!

Tickled Pink
Flamingos are known for their pink plumage, but they are not born pink. Flamingos are born a light gray color. Their feathers begin to turn pink during the second year of their lives. The food they eat changes the color of their feathers. In the wild, flamingos eat blue-green algae and crustaceans containing a carotenoid pigment. This pigment is what gives adult flamingos their famous pink color.

The flamingos at Disney’s Animal Kingdom park and Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge receive this pigment in pelleted food designed just for them.

The Walt Disney Company is passionately committed to the protection of flamingos and their natural habitats.

Threats to Flamingos
Threats to flamingos include habitat disturbance, water pollution, lowering water levels, human activity, egg collection and hunting.

Water Supply
Flamingos are sensitive to environmental changes in the water. Mining activities can pollute the water and disrupt migration, food availability and breeding habitats. Other activities that affect water levels, like hydroelectric power, can interfere with the salt levels and the amount of habitat available for flamingos.

Flamingo Research
The Disney Conservation Fund (DCF) has supported nonprofit organizations working with communities in five countries to research flamingo populations and engage local people in educational programs and activities to reduce threats to flamingos.

Involving the Community
Local communities can make a big difference in the conservation of flamingos. The Disney Conservation Fund supports work to engage people to stop harassment through educational programs, materials and exhibits.