DOI: 10.5061/dryad.q573n5tvd
title: Data from: Flamingos use their L-shaped beak and morphing feet to induce vortical traps for prey capture

description: Flamingos are known for their unique adaptations and behaviors that enable
 filter feeding. However, it remains unclear whether their beak, neck, and
 feet influence hydrodynamics to enhance prey capture. In this paper, we
 combine fluid dynamic experiments with real flamingos (Phoenicopterus
 chilensis) from the Nashville Zoo, robophysical models, and 3D-CFD
 simulations to reveal that these enigmatic birds actively generate
 directional flows and vortical traps to capture agile prey using unique
 adaptations such as their L-shape beak chattering, head retraction, foot
 stomping, and skimming behavior. Here we included datasets, scripts,
 images, and 3D reconstructions. All other data are available within the
 article and/or its supplementary materials.
description: # Data from: Flamingos use their L-shaped beak and morphing feet to induce
 vortical traps for prey capture Dataset DOI:
 [10.5061/dryad.q573n5tvd](10.5061/dryad.q573n5tvd) ## Authors: Victor M.
 Ortega-Jimenez Tien Yee Pankaj Rohilla Benjamin R. Seleb Jake Belair Saad
 Bhamla For correspondence relating to the data and code in this
 repository, please contact:
 [vortex@berkeley.edu](mailto:vortex@berkeley.edu) ## Description of the
 data and file structure **I) Live Brine Shrimp Capture Using a Mechanical
 Beak and a Water Pump** * ChatteringandPump_Brineshrimp.csv This file
 includes data of cumulative Brine shrimp (Column 2) captured over time
 (Column 1) in seconds, when both the water pump and chattering mechanical
 mandibles are active. * OnlyPump_Brineshrimp.csv This file includes data
 on cumulative Brine shrimp (Column 2) captured over time (Column 1) when
 only the pump is active. * brineshrimpfiltering.m Matlab script plots that
 plot the cumulative brine shrimp captured over time for both treatments
 and compute linear fits for comparison. **II) Particulate Collection
 Experiment Using Graphite Dust** * Paperfilter_graphite_original.jpg Image
 of the paper filter showing dust accumulation: top (pump only), bottom
 (pump + and chattering mandibles). *
 ChatteringandPum_paperfilter_graphite.bmp Binary image showing dust
 retained on the paper filter when both pump and chattering mandibles are
 active. * pumponly_paperfilter_graphite.bmp Binary image of dust retained
 by a paper filter when only the pump is active. * Graphitefiltering.m
 Matlab script that analyzes binary images to estimate the number of
 particles collected in the filter for each treatment, based on the count
 of black pixels. **II) Oscillatory Motion During Feeding (Mandibles, Gular
 Region, head)** * RawData_mandible_gular_headoscillations.csv Digitized
 x-y coordinate data (in mm) from a video of a flamingo feeding underwater
 recorded at the Nashville Zoo. *Columns:* * Time: Time in seconds *
 P1(x1,y1) tip of the lower mandible * P2 (x2,y2) tip of the upper mandible
 * P3 (x3,y3) gular expansion region * P4(x4,y4) gular base region *
 P5(x5,y5) eye. **III) Oscillatory motion including Head, Mandibles, Gular
 Region, and Legs.** * RawData_Feet_head_tongue_oscillations.csv Digitized
 x-y coordinate data (in pixels) from video footage of a flamingo feeding
 in the mud at the Nashville Zoo. *Columns:* * Time: Time in seconds *
 P1(x1,y1) Left foot * P2 (x2,y2) Right foot * P3 (x3,y3) Eye * P4(x4,y4)
 Gular region * P5(x5,y5) Lower mandible * P6(x6,y6) Upper mandible *
 P7(x7,y7) Ground reference point **IV) 3D reconstruction of flamingo** *
 3DFlamingohead.obj 3D model of a flamingo's head *
 3Dreconstruction_FlamingoFoot.obj 3D model of a flamingo's foot
 *Reconstruction software:* "Meshroom software
 ([https://alicevision.org/#meshroom](https://alicevision.org/#meshroom))
 for 3D reconstruction using photogrammetry" "MeshMixer
 ([http://www.meshmixer.com/download.html](http://www.meshmixer.com/download.html)) for mesh editing and solid modeling"