Phoenicoparrus

Phoenicoparrus is a genus of flamingos in the family Phoenicopteridae. It comprises two extant species: the Andean flamingo (Phoenicoparrus andinus) and James's flamingo (Phoenicoparrus jamesi). These species are among the smaller and lighter colored flamingos and are adapted to life in high-altitude and arid wetland environments of South America.

They are native to the central and western Andes of South America, inhabiting saline or alkaline lakes, lagoons, and coastal wetlands in Peru, Chile, Bolivia, and Argentina. They form large colonies on exposed shores or islands within these lakes and wetlands.

They have long legs and necks, pale pink to grey plumage with darker wings; they feed by sweeping water with their filter-feeding beaks, catching algae, small invertebrates, and crustaceans such as brine shrimp. Their distinctive feeding method supports a diet largely based on microscopic and small aquatic organisms found in saline waters.

They nest in large colonies on barren shores or islands near lakes; nests are mounded from mud and vegetation. They typically lay a single pale egg, and both parents participate in incubation and chick-rearing.

Both species face habitat loss, water management and mining in their range, disturbance at breeding sites, and climate change; as a result, they are of conservation concern and are subject to protection in various reserves and international agreements.