James’s Flamingo (Phoenicoparrus jamesi)

Even at these muddy sections of the lagoon, the flamingos find food that seemingly outweighs the energy spent ovecoming the suction of the mud. A few flaps of the wings and they easily move forward.

Any human would have struggled very hard, but the beautiful flamingos are much more hardy than you could possibly imagine!

They overcome the thin air at altitudes of 4000 metres an more, temperatures of minus 10 celcius and lower, snow, scorching and blinding sun during the day, gale force winds, drought, and hot springs!

James’s Flamingo (Phoenicoparrus jamesi)

Most of us know flamingos from Africa or the Caribbean – from sea-level – but their environment is a breeze in comparison. The beauty of the Altiplano flamingos is nothing compared to their incredible stamina and strength! And to top it all they have a lifespan of 20-50 years!

The more I learn about them the more baffling it is that they are not revered more by the locals who take their eggs and kill them for hunting practice and fun!

James’s Flamingo (Phoenicoparrus jamesi)

James’s Flamingo (Phoenicoparrus jamesi)

Altitude: 4119 metres.

It sounds like this:

-21.573611,-68.039444

Last updated on 27 April 2022