They hold their breath while feeding under water. When flamingos are resting, they may sit down with their legs tucked beneath them or rest standing on one leg. While resting, flamingos face into the wind. This stops wind and rain from penetrating their feathers. When resting on one leg, flamingos can be seen swaying back and forth in the wind.
Flamingos frequently stand on one leg.
Curling a leg under the body keeps the foot warm and conserves body heat. Flamingos stand on one leg in both cool and warm environments. To take off, a flamingo runs several steps, begins flapping its wings, and lifts into the air. A flamingo flies with its head and neck stretched out in front and its legs trailing behind. A flamingo flies with its head and neck stretched out in front and its legs trailing behind.