Greater Flamingo Skull Replica

$136.00

During the breeding season, Greater Flamingos increase the frequency of their spreading uropygial secretions over their feathers and thereby enhance their color. This cosmetic use of uropygial secretions has been described as applying “make-up”.

Description

Greater Flamingo Skull Replica measures 6.3 inches. Greater Flamingo Skull Replica is museum quality polyurethane cast. 2-part skull (separate cranium and jaw). Made in USA. Our precise skull can be used as a teaching tool, museum skull exhibit, home décor skull, or office décor skull.

The Greater Flamingo or Phoenicopterus roseus is the most widespread and largest species of the flamingo family averaging 43 to 59 in. tall and weighing 4.4 to 8.8 lb.

The largest male flamingos have been recorded at up to 74 in. tall and 9.9 lb. It is found in Africa, on the Indian subcontinent, in the Middle East, and in southern Europe.

Most of the Greater Flamingo or Phoenicopterus roseus plumage is pinkish white, but the wing coverts are red and the primary and secondary flight feathers are black. The bill is pink with a restricted black tip, and the legs are entirely pink. The call is a goose like honking.

Chicks are covered in gray fluffy down. Subadult flamingos are paler with dark legs. Greater Flamingo or Phoenicopterus roseus adults feeding chicks also become paler, but retain the bright pink legs.

The coloration comes from the carotenoid pigments in the organisms that live in their feeding grounds. Secretions of the uropygial gland also contain carotenoids.

During the breeding season, greater flamingos or Phoenicopterus roseus increase the frequency of their spreading uropygial secretions over their feathers and thereby enhance their color. This cosmetic use of uropygial secretions has been described as applying “make-up”.

It is found in parts of Africa, southern Asia (Bangladesh and coastal regions of Pakistan, India, and Sri Lanka), the Middle East (Iran, Turkey, Cyprus, Israel, Lebanon, the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, and Bahrain) and southern Europe (including Spain, Albania, North Macedonia, Greece, Portugal, Italy, and the Camargue region of France).

The most northern breeding spot is the Zwillbrocker Venn in western Germany, close to the border with the Netherlands. They have been recorded breeding in the United Arab Emirates at three different locations in the Abu Dhabi Emirate.

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Additional information

Weight 3 lbs
Dimensions 6.3 in
Greater Flamingo Facts

Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Aves
Order: Phoenicopteriformes
Family: Phoenicopteridae
Genus: Phoenicopterus
Species: P. roseus
Binomial name: Phoenicopterus roseus
Conservation status: Least concern