Zoo database

Greater flamingo

Phoenicopterus roseus

Natural diet Greater flamingo

Greater flamingos are carnivorous birds that mainly consume crustaceans like shrimp, mollusks and other invertebrates. Other flamingo species typically eat more algae and insects. They may also feed on plant material that is present on the bottom, but this is a small fraction.

Insects
Insects
Invertebrates / crustaceans
Invertebrates / crustaceans

Feeding advice Greater flamingo

Feed quantity per day

5-10%

Sample percentage calculation

If an animal weighs 3 kg and eats 8% of its body weight, it will get
 
3 x 0,08 = 0,24 kg feed in total per day

Feed composition

100% Concentrates

Proportions (fresh product)

1 x 0,24 kg = 240 g concentrates

Diet Suggestions

Recommended

Flamingo pellets

Soluble grit

In moderation

Insects and other invertebrates (breeding season)

Not recommended

Bread

Common diseases

An unbalanced diet may result in one of these more commonly occurring diseases/conditions:

  • Pododermatitis/Bumble Foot
  • Metabolic bone disease
  • Rickets syndrome
  • Tibiotarsus rotation
  • Hemosiderosis

Additional advice

  • Divide the “Feed quantity per day” over at least two feeding moments per day.
  • Supplement the diet with ad libitum soluble grit as a source of calcium.
  • Insoluble grit is not required if they go outside, as they will ingest small stones (read more about grit).
  • During the breeding season, the feed quantity requires a slight increase and supplementation with insects and other invertebrates.
  • Avoid feeding bread as the high starch content may cause gastro-intestinal disturbances.
  • Stimulate foraging behaviour by using feeding puzzles and scatter feeding (read more about feed enrichment and foraging behaviour).