23 Animals that Eat Flamingos (with Pictures)

Examples of animals that eat flamingos include Foxes, Baboons, Black Kite, Eagles, and Cheetahs.

The flamingo is an exotic bird that is, unfortunately, a prey animal for many predators. While various animals enjoy eating flamingos, the most common predators of these birds are large cats like lions and tigers.

Flamingos can be found in many different parts of the world, but their populations are sadly declining, partly due to predation, but also encroachment by human development.

In this article, we’ll take a look at some of the animals that eat these beautiful creatures.

What Eats Flamingos?

1. Andean Foxes

The Andean fox is a small canid that is found in the mountains of South America. These animals are known to prey on a variety of different animals, including flamingos. In fact, the Andean fox is one of the few predators of the Chilean flamingo. These animals will typically hunt in pairs or small groups in order to take down their prey.

2. Baboons

Baboons are one of the main animals that hunt and eat flamingos. In fact, they are known to be one of the most common predators of these birds. Baboons typically live in Africa and parts of Asia. They are large primates that can grow up to 2 feet tall and weigh up to 80 pounds.

Baboons typically hunt in groups, and they use their sharp teeth and claws to kill their prey. When it comes to flamingos, they will often times target the young chicks. This is because the chicks are easier to catch and kill than the adult birds. Baboons will also eat the eggs of flamingos if they can find them.

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3. Black Kite

The Black Kite is a raptor that can be found in many different parts of the world. These birds are known for their aggressive hunting tactics and their capability to take down prey that is much larger than them. When it comes to flamingos, the Black Kite will typically go after the chicks or the eggs. This is due to the fact that the Black Kite is not powerful enough to take down an adult flamingo.

4. Cheetahs

One of the animals that prey on flamingos is the cheetah. These fast and agile cats are known for their ability to take down even the largest of prey. When it comes to hunting flamingos, cheetahs will typically go after the young chicks. This is because the chicks are smaller and easier to catch than the adult birds. Cheetahs will also sometimes hunt adult flamingos, but this is not as common.

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5. Coyotes

One of the animals that preys on flamingos is the coyote. Coyotes are known for being opportunistic hunters, and they will often target any type of animal that they think they can kill. This includes flamingos. When a coyote comes across a flock of flamingos, it will usually pick out the weakest or most vulnerable bird to attack. Once the coyote has killed the flamingo, it will then feast on its meat.

6. Domestic Dogs

While most people think of dogs as being loyal and friendly creatures, there are some breeds that have a natural instinct to hunt. These breeds include the Australian Cattle Dog, the Beagle, the Bloodhound, and the Rhodesian Ridgeback. While these dogs may not be purposely trained to hunt flamingos, they have been known to attack and kill these birds.

7. Eagles

One of the most common animals that hunt flamingos is the eagle. These powerful birds of prey are known for their sharp eyesight and talons, which make them perfect hunters. Eagles typically target young or sickly flamingos, as they are easier to catch than healthy adults. Once an eagle has its sights set on a flamingo, it will use its powerful talons to grab the bird and carry it off to be eaten.

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8. Egyptian Vultures

One of the most common predators of flamingos is the Egyptian vulture. These vultures are known to attack flamingos in their nests, which are often located in trees or on the ground. The vultures will then eat the eggs or chicks that are inside of the nest. In some cases, entire flocks of flamingos have been killed by these vultures.

9. Feral Pigs

Feral pigs are one of the main predators of flamingos. These animals are known to attack and kill flamingos for food. In fact, feral pigs have been known to kill entire flocks of flamingos. The reason why these animals prey on these birds is because they are easy targets. Flamingos are not very good at defending themselves and they are not fast enough to escape from feral pigs.

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10. Geoffrey’s Cats

One of the most surprising animals that hunt flamingos is the Geoffrey’s cat. This small feline is native to South America and is closely related to the domestic house cat. While Geoffrey’s cats are not known to attack humans, they have been known to kill and eat flamingos.

In fact, these cats are specifically designed to take down large prey. They have long legs and powerful claws that help them to climb trees and pounce on their unsuspecting prey.

11. Humans

Humans are probably the most common predators of flamingos. In many cultures, flamingo meat is considered to be a delicacy. As a result, there is a thriving market for these birds in some parts of the world. In addition to being hunted for their meat, flamingos are also sometimes killed for their feathers, which are used to make various types of clothing and accessories.

12. Hyenas

One of the animals that regularly hunt and eat flamingos is the hyena. These animals are known for their scavenging habits, but they will also kill and eat other animals if necessary. When it comes to hunting flamingos, hyenas typically target younger birds or those that are sick or injured. This is because adult flamingos can be quite difficult to take down.

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13. Jackals

One of the animals that hunt flamingos is the jackal. Jackals are members of the Canidae family, which also includes dogs and wolves. These animals are found throughout Africa, Asia, and Europe. In Africa, they tend to live in woodlands and savannas.

Jackals typically hunt in pairs or small groups. They are known to be opportunistic hunters, which means that they will take advantage of any situation they can to catch their prey. This includes preying on animals that are weaker or injured.

14. Jaguar

The jaguar is a large cat found in the rainforests of South and Central America. Jaguars are one of the few animals that are known to prey on flamingos. In fact, they have been known to kill and eat both baby and adult flamingos. Jaguars typically hunt at night, using their powerful sense of smell to track down their prey. When they attack, they will often leap into the air and pounce on their victim, using their sharp claws and teeth to kill it.

Related Article: Do Jaguars Eat Snakes?

15. Lappet-Faced Vultures

One of the main predators of flamingos is the lappet-faced vulture. These powerful birds are known to prey on multiple animals, including flamingos. Lappet-faced vultures typically hunt in pairs or small groups. When they spot their prey, they will dive down and attack with their powerful beaks and claws. These vultures usually eat the entire flamingo, including the feathers, bones, and organs.

16. Leopards

One of the animals that hunt flamingos is the leopard. Leopards are large cats that are found in Africa and Asia. They are known for their strength and agility, which allows them to take down prey much larger than themselves. When it comes to hunting flamingos, leopards will stalk their prey from a distance before pouncing on them and killing them with a single bite to the neck.

17. Lions

Lions are one of the most common predators of flamingos. These powerful creatures typically hunt in packs, which makes it easier for them to take down a flamingo. Lions usually go for the young or sickly flamingos, as they are easier to catch and kill. Once a lion has killed a flamingo, the rest of the pack will usually eat the entire bird.

18. Marabou Storks

One of the primary predators of flamingos is the Marabou stork. These massive birds can reach heights of up to six feet tall and they weigh an average of eleven pounds. Marabou storks typically live in Africa and they feast on a variety of different animals, including flamingos. Marabou storks will also scavenge for food, which means that they are also known to eat flamingo eggs.

19. Minks

Minks are small, weasel-like animals that are found in various parts of the world, including North America, Europe, and Asia. In some regions, minks are considered to be pests due to their proclivity for preying on livestock. However, in other areas, their fur is highly prized and they are hunted for this purpose.

20. Pythons

Pythons are large snakes that can be found in many different parts of the world, including Africa, Asia, and Australia. These snakes are known for their ability to constrict their prey, which makes them a major threat to smaller animals like flamingos.

Pythons typically kill their prey by wrapping their bodies around them and squeezing tightly. This process can take several minutes, and it often results in the animal being suffocated or crushed to death. Once the prey is dead, the python will then consume it whole.

21. Raccoons

Raccoons are common predators of flamingos. These animals typically hunt at night, and they use their sharp claws to catch and kill their prey. Raccoons typically eat the entire flamingo, including the feathers, skin, and meat.

22. White-Headed Vultures

One of the most common predators of flamingos is the white-headed vulture. These birds are known to feast on the flesh of dead animals, and they will often target flamingos that have died from other causes. White-headed vultures are attracted to the pink feathers of flamingos, which makes them easy prey for these birds.

23. Wild Dogs

One of the main animal predators of flamingos is the wild dog. Wild dogs are known to live in Africa, Asia, and Australia. They typically hunt in packs and are very efficient at taking down their prey. In many cases, wild dogs will target baby flamingos or injured adults that are unable to defend themselves. While wild dogs typically do not eat the entire flamingo, they will often times kill them for sport.

Conclusion

Predators of the flamingo come from all walks of life. These animals can be found in many different parts of the world and they use a variety of methods to kill their prey. While some predators, such as coyotes and hyenas, are scavengers and will eat anything that they can find, others, like cheethas and pumas, are skilled hunters that stalk their prey before attacking.

Garreth

Hi, I’m Garreth. Living in South Africa I’ve had the pleasure of seeing most of these animals up close and personal. When I was younger I always wanted to be a game ranger but unfortunately, life happens and now at least I get to write about them and tell you my experiences.