Photo by LittleMiss/Shutterstock.com

We can all name one place where you can find flamingos: the zoo. But where do flamingos live when they’re not being brought their meals?

Before we get into where flamingos live in natural habitats, we first must explain that there are six species of flamingos. Those are:

• American (Caribbean) Flamingo
• Andean Flamingo
• Chilean Flamingo
• Greater Flamingo
• Lesser Flamingo
• Puna (James) Flamingo

Where do each of these flamingo species live? They can be found in different places across the globe.

Where Do Flamingos Live?  

American "Caribbean" Flamingo (Phoenicopterus ruber) - Photo by Rosamar/Shutterstock.com

American flamingos, also known as Caribbean flamingos, can be found largely in Central America, South America, and the Caribbean. Places like the Bahamas, Cuba, and the Yucatan of Mexico are especially known to serve as hosts. They’re often found in shallow ponds, lakes, lagoons and other similar bodies of water.

Greater Flamingos (Phoenicopterus roseus) - Photo by ananth-tp/Shutterstock.com  

Greater flamingos can be found in warm areas with plenty of water in a wide array of places around the world. Southern Europe, Africa, and Southeast Asia are the most popular sites to catch a glimpse of one, but they’re also regularly spotted in the United States and Caribbean at large. Greater flamingos have even been seen in the Middle East. While they don’t have the biggest population numbers of the six species, they do have the widest location range.

Lesser Flamingos (Phoeniconaias minor) - Photo by DennisWDonohue/Shutterstock.com

Lesser flamingos claim the top spot in population, but they’re not widely distributed. This species of flamingo can be seen in big numbers in Africa, specifically in the east, southwest, and western portions of the continent. There are also some in India, but if you’re looking for lesser flamingos, alkaline and saline lakes in Africa is where you’ll want to head.

Puna "James" Flamingos (Phoenicoparrus jamesi) - Photo by WitR/Shutterstock.com

The Puna flamingo, also called the James flamingo, has the smallest range of any of the six flamingo species. It is the third species to call South America home, but that home is much more restrictive than its fellow flamingos’. In fact, it isn’t uncommon for these flamingos to live among their Andean of Chilean brethren. You can find them in Peru, Chile, Bolivia, and Argentina in salt lakes and lagoons thousands of meters above sea level, though they’ll come to lower altitudes during the winter months.

Andean Flamingo (Phoenicoparrus andinus) - Photo by JoseArcosAguilar/Shutterstock.com

The Andean flamingo lives in the Andes, as you may have guessed. This includes portions of Peru, Argentina, Chile, and Bolivia. It prefers alkaline lakes thousands of meters above sea level, though in winter the birds migrate to lower wetlands.

Chilean Flamingo (Phoenicopterus chilensis) -  Photo by JeffMcGraw/Shutterstock.com

Chilean flamingos also inhabit South America, taking refuge largely in the western portion of the continent. Alkaline or shallow muddy lakes in Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Paraguay, and Peru are generally where you’ll find them.

So, as we’ve learned, our favorite fowl lives all over the place! However, South America, the Caribbean, and Africa are the top regions for where flamingos live, and if you’re planning a trip to see some flamingos, those areas should be the first to consider.