Editing Andean flamingo (section)

==Description==
It is distinguished from other flamingos by its deeper lower mandible and the very long filtering filaments on the maxilla. It is the largest flamingo in the Andes and is one of the two heaviest living flamingos alongside the taller [[greater flamingo]].<ref name= CRC>{{cite book |title=CRC Handbook of Avian Body Masses |edition=2nd |editor-first=John B. Jr. |editor-last=Dunning |publisher=CRC Press |year=2008 |isbn=978-1-4200-6444-5}}</ref> Reportedly body mass of the Andean flamingo has ranged from {{convert|1.5|to|4.9|kg|lb|abbr=on}}, height from {{convert|1|to|1.4|m|ftin|0|abbr=on}} and wingspan from {{convert|1.4|to|1.6|m|ftin|0|abbr=on}}.<ref name= CRC/><ref>del Hoyo, J. (1992). ''Phoenicopteriformes''. Pp. 508-526 in J del Hoyo, A Elliott, J Sargatal, eds. Handbook of the Birds of the World, Vol. 1. Barcelona: Lynx Edicions.</ref>

The flamingo has a pale pink body with brighter upperparts, deep vinaceous-pink lower neck, breast, and wing coverts. It is the only flamingo species with yellow legs and three-toed feet.<ref>Bornschein, M. R. and [[Bianca Reinert|B. L. Reinert]] (1996). "The Andean Flamingo in Brazil." Wilson Bulletin 108(4): 807-808.</ref> Its bill is pale yellow near the skull, but black for the majority of its length, and curves downward. Its lower mandible is less apparent than those of the genus ''Phoenicopterus.''

=== Plumages ===
Juveniles present a uniformly pale gray plumage. It is often duskier on the head and neck. Coverts and scapulars can have darker brown centers. Meanwhile, adults are overall pale pink, with the feathers on the lower neck and chest being much brighter pink; coverts may be similarly bright pink. Head and upper neck may be a brighter pink than the rest of the body, which can appear almost white with only a pale pink wash, but head and upper neck never as bright as the lower neck and breast. Primaries and secondaries black, which when wings are folded, appear as bold black triangle that is not obscured by other feathers.

=== Fossil history ===
Fossils attributed to Andean Flamingo have been found at the Salar de Atacama border and roughly date to the Early Formative period, approximately 3,000 to 2,200 BP. These fossils date to a period consistent with the onset of modern climate conditions that the species now inhabits.<ref>{{Cite book|last=Prummel, Wietske.|url=http://worldcat.org/oclc/785858835|title=Birds in archaeology : proceedings of the 6th meeting of the ICAZ Bird Working Group in Groningen (23.8. - 27.8.2008)|date=2010|publisher=Barkhuis|isbn=978-90-77922-77-4|oclc=785858835}}</ref>