They are surface feeders filtering the top inch or two of water where the spirulina is to be found with the deep-keeled bill that is specialized for very fine food particles. Gregarious, with mass displays in the breeding areas. They fly in undulating lines, long neck and feet extended. Life span is 50 years. The upper mandible is larger than the lower, but lightweight, and acts like a float, keeping the head at just the right level to allow the bill to sieve the top three centimeters of water, where the spirulina is found.
Flamingos have longer necks and legs in proportion to body size than any other kind of bird.
Their filter-feeding mechanism is structurally and mechanically different from that of ducks but is convergent with that of the baleen whales, particularly the Right Whale. May leave usual haunts however if the pH changes markedly. Forbes, Peter, Bill MacKeith, Robert Peberdy, Eds. Torstar Books, Inc, New York. Kamau, J.A. 1992.