They are found on several continents, in warm and wet areas.

They like salty lakes and estuaries, and are known to thrive in extensive mudflats, where they can find plenty of food and breeding places.

Since they live in waters with very high concentrations of salt, they often have few sources of fresh water and are forced to drink water from hot springs. They is possible because they have the ability to drink boiling water.

Flamingos are unique. Mainly because they can breed in extreme habitats. These habitats are either extremely alkaline lakes that are close to volcanic mountains or very saline brackish waters of coastal seas.

Because their foods, which are various species of algae, only thrive under these conditions, flamingos have no choice other than to breed in these places.