South America has 3 flamingo species. The Chilean flamingo (Phoenicopterus chilensis) has a wide range across the south and west of the continent (Ecuador is the northernmost part of its range) and is the only one likely to be seen at lower altitudes and on coasts. The Andean (Phoenicoparrus andinus) and James's or Puna (Phoenicoparrus jamesi) flamingos are birds of the saline lakes of the high altiplano of the Central Andes, usually above 4000m / 13,000ft. Breeding colonies can be found in western Bolivia, northern Chile and northwest Argentina. Outside the breeding season they can also be seen in southern Peru and elsewhere in Argentina. Both species are listed as vulnerable / endangered.
