We present information on the status of the Andean Flamingo (Phonicoparrus andinus Philippi, 1854), based on a thorough literature review, access to databases, and field observations. We address aspects of the distribution, habitat, population, movements, diet, threats, and conservation status of this rare species. We confirm its presence in thesouthern Andes of Peru with sporadic sightings on the coast. The main habitats are the puna and high Andean salt flats, and in some cases, wetlands located in lower lands that are influenced by the rapid fluctuations of water resources. The population recorded since 1997 seems to be stable in summer; but with eventual fluctuations of thousands of flamingos during winter. Their movements towards Peruvian territory are from their breeding sites in Chile and Bolivia, without any relation to any migratory pattern, seasonality, or the age of the birds ...

In birds the plumage pattern extensions are useful indicators to determine the age. Generally, these patterns change from chicks to adults, and latter, molting annually between breeding and non-breeding plumages. In the case of South American flamingos (Phoenicopteridae), these plumages have not yet been described in detail, especially in wildlife; even less, the relationship with the chronological age and its extension. In this work six types of body contour plumage categories are described: juvenile, immature, subadult and adult. Additionally, the breeding and non-breeding in these last two plumage categories, that were observed in ringed Chilean Flamingos Phoenicopterus chilensis (Molina, 1782), and their relationship with chronological age. In this way, it is needed to better understand the Chilean Flamingo molt chronology, at least the body contour, through which this species goes t...