Carotenoid pigments determine their color. In zoos they are fed red dyes to maintain their red color. Their contour feathers cover all of the body except the bill and scaled parts of their legs, and feathers protect skin from damage and streamline for flight. Flamingos molt their wing and body feathers at irregular intervals ranging from twice a year to once a year. Molted feathers loose their color.
Males have longer wingspans than the females .
Flamingos stand 3-5 feet tall. Their legs are longer than their bodies. The ankle is located halfway up the leg. The knee is located close to the body and isn't externally visible. The coloration of the feet and legs are the same.