This behavior is an invitation to the male to mount her. Mating most often occurs in the water. The male jumps onto the female's back from behind, firmly planting his feet on her wing joints. After mating, the male stands on the female's back, then jumps off over her head. He may then vocalize and shake his wings.
Flamingos build nest mounds made of mud, small stones, straw, and feathers.
Mound building begins up to six weeks before the eggs are laid. Using their bills, both male and female participate in mound building by bringing mud and other objects toward their feet. As they slowly construct the mound, the parents form a shallow well on the top where the egg is laid. Mounds serve as protection against the extreme heat and flooding that occurs at ground level. Mound building continues during incubation, as the flamingos pick up materials close to the nest.