Three kinds of flamingo

The Chilean, the Andean and the James’s flamingo all feed on the lagoons of the Salar de Atacama and the altiplano. The Andean is the rarest, with a black triangle at the back when it folds its wings.

Why pink

The colour comes from the tiny algae and brine shrimp they filter from the water. Birds that eat less of them fade to white.

How to watch

Laguna Chaxa, late afternoon, from the boardwalk. Stay still and they will come within a few metres.