Flamingos | Causes of Color A page from the "Causes of Color" exhibit... What do flamingos and salmon have in common? Flamingos are flamboyantly colored birds, displaying startling shades of pink, red, or orange. With their bright feathers and strongly hooked bills, flamingos are among the most easily recognized water birds. Flamingos are social birds, and tens of thousands can live together in a single colony. Flamingos are one of the oldest species of birds, with fossil remains dating back 30 to 50 million years. They live in tropical and sub-tropical latitudes, either far inland or in large lakes or lagoons, such as tidal flats or mangrove swamps close to the sea. Flamingos are generally non-migratory birds, but a colony may relocate under the pressures of climate or water level changes. Populations that breed in high-altitude lakes, which may freeze over in the winter, move to warmer areas, returning to their native colony to breed. When flamingos migrate, they do so mainly at night. There are six different species of flamingo, found in locations ranging from the Caribbean and South America to Africa, India, and the Mediterranean.

Lesser Flamingos at Lake Nakuru. Flamingos at a Caribbean coastal lagoon. Flamingo feather coloration ranges from pale pink to crimson according to species. The Caribbean flamingos (Phoenicopterus ruber rubber) are the brightest, showing their colors of red, pink, or orange on their legs, bills, and faces. How they feed Flamingos are filter feeders, living off algae and tiny animals such as shrimp, mollusks, and insect larvae that live in the mud at the bottom of shallow pools. Their long legs allow them to wade into deep water to forage. Their unusually shaped bill, held upside down, contains lamellae, plates that act like tiny filters to trap shrimp and other water creatures. They use their tongues to suck water in at the front of the bill and pump it out through the sides. Lesser, James, and Andean flamingos eat algae, cyanobacteria, and hard-shelled, single-celled plants. They have larger bills and stiff lamellae to filter fine particles from the water.

Caribbean, Chilean, and Greater flamingos eat larger organisms, such as insects, invertebrates, and small fish, using their feet to stir up shrimp and larvae from the waterbed. Why are they pink? Flamingo feathers obtain their wonderful rosy pink color from pigments in the organisms they eat. The flamingos’ feathers, legs, and face are colored by their diet, which is rich in alpha and beta carotenoid pigments. Carotenoids in crustaceans such as those in the flamingo diet are frequently linked to protein molecules, and may be blue or green. After being digested, the carotenoid pigments dissolve in fats and are deposited in the growing feathers, becoming orange or pink. The same effect is seen when shrimp change color during cooking. The amount of pigment laid down in the feathers depends on the quantity of pigment in the flamingo’s diet. An absence of carotenoids in its food will result in new feather growth that is very pale; the existing pigment is lost through molting. Captivity and feeding Flamingos in captivity require a special diet to ensure they preserve their striking colors. Zoos like the San Diego Zoo and Animal Park use special flamingo pellets enriched with pigment.

Captive flamingos also require water so that they can eat by pumping water through their bills, as they do in the wild. Flamingos at San Francisco Zoo. In the wild, flamingos eat algae, crustaceans, brine shrimp, diatoms, and aquatic plants. At the zoo, a special “flamingo fare” is served. To preserve their rosy color at the zoo, flamingos are fed a commercially prepared diet high in carotenoids. Initially, zoos fed carrots, red peppers, and dried shrimp to flamingos, but it was found that if synthetic canthaxanthin was added to their feed, nesting and breeding were more successful. What do zoo flamingos and farmed salmon have in common? Both salmon farmers and zookeepers rely on doses of a carotenoid, such as canthaxanthin or a similar pigment, to keep fish and flamingos colorful. In both cases, this pigment is responsible for mimicking the color found naturally in wild species. In zoos, flamingos need a diet rich in carotenoids to maintain their distinctive plumage. Carotenoids also occur in mollusks and crustaceans, so flamingos may be fed shrimp and clams.

Spoonbills and pink ibis also rely on ingested carotenoids for their coloring. Salmon and trout owe their pink color to carotenoids deposited in their body fat. In fish farms and bird parks, carotenoids are added to the feed to create a pleasing pink color, but this has no effect on palatability or health. A synthetic "nature-identical" version of the carotenoid astaxanthin has been developed, and it is also possible (but expensive) to obtain commercial quantities of the natural color from cultured yeast and algae. Why Are Flamingos the Color Pink? Updated September 07, 2016. Question: Why Are Flamingos Pink? Have you ever wondered why flamingos are pink or orange? You've probably heard it has something to do with what flamingos eat, but do you know what exactly it is that produces the color? Answer: Flamingos are pink or orange or white depending on what they eat. Flamingos eat algae and crustaceans that contain pigments called carotenoids . For the most part, these pigments are found in the brine shrimp and blue-green algae that the birds eat.

Enzymes in the liver break down the carotenoids into the pink and orange pigment molecules that are absorbed by fats deposited in the feathers, bill, and legs of the flamingos. Flamingos that eat mostly algae are more deeply colored than birds that eat the small animals that feed off of algae. So, you typically find deeply-colored pink and orange flamingos in the Caribbean, yet pale pink flamingos in drier habitats, like Lake Nakuru in Kenya. Captive flamingos are feed a special diet that includes prawns (a pigmented crustacean) or additives such as beta-carotene or canthaxanthin, otherwise they would be white or pale pink. continue reading below our video 4 Tips for Improving Test Performance Young flamingos have gray plumage that changes color according to their diet. People eat foods containing carotenoids, too. The molecules act as antioxidants and are used to produce vitamin A. Examples of carotenoids humans eat include beta-carotene in carrots and lycopene in watermelon, but most people do not eat enough of these compounds to affect their skin color. People who take canthaxanthin pills for sunless tanning (artificial tans) experience skin color change.

Unfortunately for them, the color is more of a bizarre orange than the natural tan from melanin! Why Are Flamingos Pink? | Wonderopolis Wonder of the Day #1 Why Are Flamingos Pink? We were hanging out on the Wonderopolis seashore the other day when we overheard an interesting conversation between a seagull and a pelican: Seagull: Hey Pete! What are you doing? Pelican: Howdy Steve! I was just watching Frank the flamingo fishing over there. Seagull: He must not be catching many fish . Pelican: Why do you say that? Seagull: Look at his face. It's pink! He must be embarrassed to be such a bad fisher. Pelican: Actually, he's pink because he's a really good fisher! Although he's not necessarily catching fish … Seagull: How so? Pelican: Let me explain… The pelican went on to explain why flamingos are pink to the seagull. We'll summarize what we learned for you here. With vibrant pink and orange plumage that seems sunset -inspired, flamingos are some of the best dressed birds in the avian world.

They weren't born that way, though! Baby flamingos are actually born with gray feathers . Their distinctive pink color develops over time thanks to their selective diet . What do flamingos eat? A flamingo's diet primarily consists of aquatic organisms — such as shrimp and algae — high in pigments called carotenoids. Carotenoids are the same pigments that cause shrimp to turn from gray to pink when they're boiled. Carotenoids are essential to maintaining the flamingo's signature color. If a flamingo were to adopt a meal plan similar to other birds who feast on insects, seeds, or berries, its feathers would eventually become white or a faded pale pink. Though algae may not be at the top of your family's grocery list, humans also eat foods rich in carotenoids. These pigments are responsible for many of the red, yellow, and orange fruits and vegetables that we love, including carrots , apricots, squash, mangoes, and sweet potatoes. Thanks to a varied and balanced diet , however, we can enjoy these carotenoid-filled foods without having to worry that our skin will change color overnight. Wonder Contributors Test your knowledge Wonder What's Next?

Tomorrow in Wonderopolis we’ll take a closer look at the life of one of history’s most controversial champions of African-American rights. Try It Out We hope you enjoyed our very first Wonder of the Day! Be sure to check out the following activities with a friend or family member: Have you ever heard someone say that you are what you eat? If that was true, what would you be? A pizza? Some crackers? Chicken nuggets? Or would you be an apple or some broccoli? Let your imagination run wild and think about what life would be like if you were similar to a flamingo. If your diet affected your skin color, what color would you be? Write a short poem or story that explains how life would be different if your diet made you change colors! The Houston Zoo is home to hundreds of birds from all over the world, including many flamingos. Check out the Flamingo Cam to see what they're up to right now. Keep a watchful eye out, and you may even spot other types of birds. No need to bring binoculars. Just spread your wings and click to watch the flamingo flock in real-time! Put yourself in the feathers of a young flamingo. You were born with gray feathers.

But as you get older, you see your feathers being replaced with a light shade of pink feathers. What's going on? Is this natural? Are you worried? Or do you prefer your pink feathers? Write a short story from the perspective of a young flamingo just growing into its pink feathers. How do you feel about your changing color? Share your story with a friend or family member. How do they think a young flamingo would feel about its changing plumage? Wonder Sources FLAMINGO - Totem Talk Totem Talk Spirit of the FLAMINGO: Heart Healing, Balance, Rebirth, The Phoenix, Rising After A Fall, Discernment, Maintaining Individuality Within A Group, Creativity, Beauty, Vision Flamingo, within the crane family, teaches the importance of balance. Pink is the color associated with the heart chakra and the pink coloring in flamingos vibrate with heart and emotional energies. The flamingo is a visionary and draws its power from water.

Ability to filter soul lessons from emotional waters Understanding the language of color Archangel Raphael Ability to maintain soul purpose in group living Power of Illusion Understanding how to maintain balance Working with Group Consciousness Determine What is Useful and What is Not Flamingo's annual migration is among the longest of any creature's on earth. For survival reasons she travels in large flocks, mostly at night. Flamingo wisdom is invoked for those who journey far, whether the journey be physical or spiritual. Flamingo teaches how to maintain balance and movement through the emotions. He aids in intuitive filtering and spiritual discernment. Be aware in dream time. Flamingo helps in bringing color and vivacity into ones life along with increasing community activities. Is it time to bring new life; concepts, ideas, thoughts or people? Is it time to work alone or with groups? Flamingo will show how to maneuver slowly and gracefully with care. Flamingo Teaches Fear-less-ness From Within The Flock. Flamingo is striking, gorgeous, preening and sensual—a strong symbol of flirtatiousness and sexuality. Pink represents the heart, compassion and connection. Flamingo’s pink coloring comes from diet. Without a proper diet, Flamingo pales to white.

For you this means that you must nourish your heart, your compassion and your connection—to your Self and to others in the flock. Without proper nourishment, your heart will pale. Flamingo’s commitment to flock-living does not mean “following the herd” (we’re talking Flamingo, not sheep!) or being boring. In fact, Flamingo teaches that you can be true to your Self while still being loyal to the flock. Being One with others does not have to mean losing your Self. Flamingo’s long legs mean that it can wade into deeper waters while still touching the bottom. Remember that water is a symbol of emotions. So Flamingo models staying grounded even while wading into deeper emotions. The Noble King of the Marshes: Flamingo. The Flamingo is a Gregarious Wading Bird in its own family in the order Phoenicopteriformes. They have some of the most unique adaptations like their beak that filters sand and mud from their food, but only if used upside down. It also possesses a unique color pigmentation and has one of the more unique bird calls.

Flamingos are flashy creatures, but not showoffs, unlike a lot of other birds; the males don’t really compete for females attention with elaborate displays of plumage or intricate nests, they just happen to be radiant by nature and elegant out of necessity. The Flamingo is often believed to be the premise behind the phoenix, just look at the taxonomy in its Order and Genus. As such it has several connotations that this mythical birdhas. The Phoenix is a creature of rebirth, a constant cycle. People who hold Flamingo in their hearts are good at rising back up after a fall from grace. They blaze into new glory after every stumbling point. Which is something truly admirable about their natures. The Flamingo as a guidance totem is a Heart Healer, meaning it is a good filter to help discern what is poisonous in your life and what can heal your wounds. Many people bring flamingo into their life to come back from devastation. Those who have Flamingo in their heart are also good at this but in a subtle way, they help you see the ridiculous or unnecessary and help you focus on what could help you grow. This is a natural talent that they don’t even sometimes understand.

You truly are wonderful to be around when you need to heal, you have a way of making everything sharper and easier to understand. Now for the things to watch out for. Flamingo’s are group animals as such they don’t like to be alone, they mate for life which makes them wonderful companions, if not a bit needy at times. This can be overcome and even embraced by the right partner, but you have to be very careful in who they decide to settle with. Every thing they take into their life profoundly affects them. Thoughts, ideas, words, food all of these things have the danger of ripping them off of their path. They can clog your filter, run you down and lead to your downfall. A Flamingo has to be very careful of what it allows to enter their cosmology and even more careful of what they are willing to accept.

Flamingo | San Diego Zoo Animals & Plants San Diego Zoo Animals & Plants Flamingo Phoenicopterus chilensis, Phoeniconaias minor, Phoenicoparrus andinus, Phoenicoparrus jamesi <em>Phoenicopterus chilensis</em>, <em>Phoeniconaias minor</em>, <em>Phoenicoparrus andinus</em>, <em>Phoenicoparrus jamesi</em> CLASS: Aves (Birds) ORDER: Phoenicopteriformes FAMILY: Phoenicopteridae GENUS AND SPECIES: Phoenicopterus chilensis (Chilean flamingo), Phoeniconaias minor (lesser flamingo), Phoenicoparrus andinus (Andean flamingo), Phoenicoparrus jamesi (Puna or James’ flamingo) ABOUT Think pink—and orange? With their pink and crimson plumage, long legs and necks, and strongly hooked bills, flamingos cannot be mistaken for any other type of bird. These beauties have long fascinated people.

An accurate cave painting of a flamingo, found in the south of Spain, dates back to 5,000 B.C. Today, images of flamingos are found in literature (Alice used them as croquet mallets in Through the Looking Glass by Lewis Carroll), and immortalized as plastic lawn ornaments! The flamingo’s pink or reddish color comes from the rich sources of carotenoid pigments (like the pigments of carrots) in the algae and small crustaceans the birds eat. We eat carotenoids, too, whenever we munch on carrots, beets, and certain other veggies, but not enough to turn us orange! Caribbean flamingos, a subspecies of greater flamingo, are the brightest, showing their true colors of red, pink, or orange on their legs, bills, and faces. In order to fly, flamingos need to run a few paces to gather speed. This speed is not related to the ground but rather to the air, so they usually take off facing into the wind. In flight, flamingos are quite distinctive, with their long necks stretched out in front and the equally long legs trailing behind.

Their outstretched wings showcase the pretty black and red (or pink) coloration that, with slight variations, is shared by all flamingo species. When flying, flamingos flap their wings fairly rapidly and almost continuously. And, as with most other flamingo activities, they usually fly together in large flocks. The flamingos follow each other closely, using a variety of formations that help them take advantage of the wind patterns. Flamingos are social birds that live in groups of varying sizes, from a few pairs to sometimes thousands or tens of thousands. Their numbers add to the impressiveness of ritualized flamingo displays; the purpose of these displays is to stimulate hormone production and ensure that as many birds as possible will breed. Head-flagging: Stretching the neck with head up high and rhythmically turning the head from side to side. Wing salute: Showing off the contrasting colors with the tail cocked and the neck outstretched. Twist-preen: The bird twists its neck back and appears to preen its feathers with its bill quickly. Marching: The large, tightly packed flock walks together as one, before switching direction abruptly. Flamingos also use vocalizations and these displays to communicate between individuals or alert the group of possible danger.

Their vocal repertoire includes growling, low gabbling, and nasal honking. Why do flamingos stand on one leg? Scientists aren’t sure. There is less heat lost through the leg if it is tucked next to the bird’s body; however, this behavior is also seen in hot climates. Another explanation is more mundane: it’s probably a comfortable position for standing. You can develop your own theory about this age-old question on your next visit to the Zoo or Safari Park, where the flamingos are always gorgeous and entertaining. HABITAT AND DIET Flamingos live in lagoons or large, shallow lakes. These bodies of water may be quite salty or caustic, too much so for most other animals. In some lakes, their only animal “neighbors” are algae, diatoms, and small crustaceans. That works in the flamingo’s favor, as the birds dine on these small creatures! Chilean, Andean, and puna flamingos are found in South America; greater and lesser flamingos live in Africa, with greaters also found in the Middle East; the Caribbean subspecies is native to Mexico, the Caribbean, and the northernmost tip of South America.

Long legs let flamingos wade into deeper water than most other birds to look for food. And speaking of food, flamingos also have very distinctive eating habits. The bill is held upside down in the water. Flamingos feed by sucking water and mud in at the front of the bill and then pumping it out again at the sides. Here, briny plates called lamellae act like tiny filters, trapping shrimp and other small water creatures for the flamingo to eat. The smaller puna, Andean, and lesser flamingos have deeper bills and stiff lamellae. This helps them filter very fine particles, such as algae, through their bill and keep bigger particles out. Greater and Chilean flamingos are larger and feed mostly on invertebrates such as brine flies, shrimps, and mollusks. They get these food items from the bottom mud by wading in shallow water. Sometimes they swim to get their food and sometimes by “upending” (tail feathers in the air, head underwater) like ducks. At the San Diego Zoo and the San Diego Zoo Safari Park, the flamingos are fed a special pellet diet that is made for zoo flamingos.

This food has all the nutrients the flamingos need and a pigment that helps keep them “in the pink.” To allow the flamingos to eat in their normal way (taking in water and then pumping it back out), a water source just for feeding is near their food so they can get a “beakful” of water and then food—just like they would in the wild. FAMILY LIFE A flamingo nest is not fancy, just a mound of mud, maybe 12 to 24 inches (30 to 60 centimeters) high. The nest needs to be high enough to protect the egg from flooding and from the occasional intense heat at ground level. Both the male and female build the nest by ​using their bills to pull mud toward their feet. The top of the mound is concave so that any egg laid does not fall off. Neighboring nests are built very close, and bickering between nest mound occupants is common. Prior to breeding, the male is selected by the female, and he then closely follows behind her in shallow water. The individual courtship rituals tend to be subtle and inconspicuous to ​humans. The pair tends to stay together as long as there is reproductive success.

If not, then the female may choose a new mate. Flamingos lay one large, chalky white egg in a mud nest build like a sand castle by the parents. A parent sits on the mound, reaches over, picks up mud and dribbles it onto the nest, which can reach 2 feet (0.6 meters) in height and is usually surrounded by a trench as further protection from rising water. At hatching, a flamingo chick has gray down feathers and is the size of a tennis ball. It also has a straight, pink bill and swollen pink legs, both of which turn black within a week. After hatching, the chick stays on the nest mound for 5 to 12 days. During this time, the chick is fed a type of “milk” called crop milk that comes from the parents’ upper digestive tract. (Flamingos share this trait with pigeons.) Both males and females can feed the chick this way, and even flamingos that are not the parents can act as foster-feeders. The begging calls the hungry chick makes are believed to stimulate the secretion of the milk.

As the parents feed their chicks the crop milk, they are drained of their color—so much so that their plumage turns a pale pink or white! The parents gain this color back eventually as the chicks become independent and eat on their own. By the time a chick leaves the nest, it can already walk and swim quite well. Chicks flock together in large groups called crèches, looked after by a few adults, possibly birds that have lost their own young. Parents visit the crèche and continue to feed their chick with the milky secretion. But how do they find their offspring in such a large and noisy group? Chicks and their parents recognize one another through their distinctive calls! Adult flamingos have few natural predators, as they tend to live in inhospitable places where the lagoons are pretty bare of vegetation, so few other birds or animals come there. But flamingo chicks are sometimes preyed upon by eagle species. AT THE ZOO Flamingos as ambassadors: Guests are instantly drawn to our Caribbean flamingo flock as they enter the San Diego Zoo. And who wouldn’t be?

With their flamboyant color and amusing behaviors, flamingos have been on hand to welcome Zoo guests since 1932, about 10 years after the Zoo grounds opened to visitors. They are our unofficial ambassadors! While much is known about flamingo breeding behavior, there are never any guarantees. Any major or minor change to the flock or exhibit can start or stop breeding. For example, in the early 1980s, a number of flamingos were relocated. It was completely unexpected that this action would cause the remaining birds to stop breeding for the next 14 years! A number of remedies were tried. Finally, new birds were introduced and the exhibit renovated to improve the nesting area. One or both changes did the trick, and the Zoo’s flamingos began breeding again in 1996 and have bred almost every year since then. The Zoo has hatched more than 170 since 1957. Today, it is home to just under 90 adult Caribbean flamingos. Once a year, there is an event at the Zoo that is unlike any other.

After weeks of preparation, three departments are mobilized, dozens of keepers are involved, all of the flamingos are caught up, and everyone gets wet! The occasion? The annual Flamingo Roundup! Why do we catch the whole flock—even the healthy ones—once a year? They are all due for their West Nile virus booster shot. Each flamingo is also weighed and given a general checkup during the roundup. Safari Park successes: ​At the San Diego Zoo Safari Park, the first greater flamingo egg was laid in 1998; six years later, another greater flamingo chick pecked its way out through its shell and into history in 2004 as the facility’s 100th hatching of this subspecies. Today, the Park has the largest flock of greater flamingos in the United States at around 150 birds. We have hatched 173 chicks, so far. The Safari Park is also home to lesser flamingos and Chilean flamingos. CONSERVATION Over time, people have used flamingos for food and medicine.

Currently, no flamingo species is endangered, although the puna or James’ flamingo was thought to be extinct in 1924; it was rediscovered in 1957. But as with many wild species, the threat of habitat loss due to road construction and housing development is causing some populations to be threatened. In 1989, about 100 Caribbean flamingos died in Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula from lead poisoning, due to the ingestion of lead shot. Lead bullets are now prohibited in that area. The Andean flamingo is considered the rarest of the flamingo species. It lives high in the mountains of Chile, Peru, Bolivia, and Argentina. People have been collecting the flamingos’ eggs and expanding into their habitat with farms, road construction, and urban development. Chile has now established a national flamingo reserve around one of the lakes used by the birds for breeding colonies and is taking steps to protect other lakes for the flamingos. The Flamingo Specialist Group was created in 1978 to study, monitor, and help conserve the world’s flamingo populations.

Working with the International Union for Conservation of Nature, the group monitors and surveys wild flamingos and develops action plans for species that may be threatened. LIFE SPAN flamingo | bird | Britannica.com Flamingo ciconiiform Flamingo (order Phoenicopteriformes), any of six species of tall, pink wading birds with thick downturned bills. Flamingos have slender legs, long, graceful necks, large wings, and short tails. They range from about 90 to 150 cm (3 to 5 feet) tall. Lesser flamingo (Phoeniconaias minor). Lesser flamingos (Phoeniconaias minor) at Lake Bogoria in the Great Rift Valley, … © Martin Harvey (A Britannica Publishing Partner) Flamingos are highly gregarious birds. Flocks numbering in the hundreds may be seen in long, curving flight formations and in wading groups along the shore. On some of East Africa’s large lakes, more than a million lesser flamingos (Phoeniconaias minor) gather during the breeding season.

In flight, flamingos present a striking and beautiful sight, with legs and neck stretched out straight, looking like white and rosy crosses with black arms. No less interesting is the flock at rest, with their long necks twisted or coiled upon the body in any conceivable position. Flamingos are often seen standing on one leg. Various reasons for this habit have been suggested, such as regulation of body temperature, conservation of energy, or merely to dry out the legs. Flamingos (Family Phoenicopteridae) in Africa. Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc. The nest is a truncated cone of muddy clay piled up a few inches in a shallow lagoon; both parents share the monthlong incubation of the one or two chalky-white eggs that are laid in the hollow of the cone. Downy white young leave the nest in two or three days and are fed by regurgitation of partly digested food by the adults. Subadults are whitish, acquiring the pink plumage with age. To feed, flamingos tramp the shallows, head down and bill underwater, stirring up organic matter with their webbed feet.

They eat various types of food, including diatoms, algae, blue-green algae , and invertebrates such as minute mollusks and crustaceans. While the head swings from side to side, food is strained from the muddy water with small comblike structures inside the bill. The bird’s pink colour comes from its food, which contains carotenoid pigments. The diet of flamingos kept in zoos is sometimes supplemented with food colouring to keep their plumage from fading. Caribbean flamingo (Phoenicopterus ruber ruber) showing carotenoid pigmentation in … C. Laubscher/Bruce Coleman Inc. Flamingo Facts: Food Turns Feathers Pink Flamingo Facts: Food Turns Feathers Pink By Alina Bradford, Live Science Contributor | September 18, 2014 02:03pm ET MORE Credit: Vladislav Gajic | Shutterstock Flamingos are large birds that are identifiable by their long necks, sticklike legs and pink or reddish feathers. Flamingos embody the saying "you are what you eat." The pink and reddish colors of a flamingo's feathers come from eating pigments found in algae and invertebrates.

There are six species of flamingo, according to the Integrated Taxonomic Information System (ITIS): greater flamingo, lesser flamingo, Chilean flamingo, Andean flamingo, James' (or puna) flamingo and American (or Caribbean) flamingo. The greater flamingo is the tallest species. It stands 3.9 to 4.7 feet (1.2 to 1.45 meters) and weighs up to 7.7 lbs. (3.5 kilograms), according to Sea World . The shortest species is the lesser flamingo, which stands 2.6 feet (80 cm) and weighs 5.5 lbs. (2.5 kg). The wingspan of flamingos ranges from 37 inches (95 cm) to 59 inches (150 cm). Lesser flamingo (Phoeniconaias minor). Credit: © Mark Anderson Habitat American flamingos live in the West Indies, Yucatán, in the northern part of South America and along the Galapagos Islands. Chilean, Andean and James' flamingos live in South America, and the greater and lesser flamingos live in Africa.

Greater flamingos can also be found in the Middle East and India. Flamingos are water birds, so they live in and around lagoons or lakes. These bodies of water tend to be saline or alkaline. Flamingos are generally nonmigratory, but changes in climate or water levels in their breeding areas will cause them to relocate, according to Sea World. Diet Flamingos eat larva, small insects, blue-green and red algae, mollusks, crustaceans and small fish, according to Sea World . Their tendency to eat both vegetation and meat makes them omnivores. Flamingos are pink because the algae they consume are loaded with beta carotene, an organic chemical that contains a reddish-orange pigment. (Beta carotene is also present in many plants, but especially in tomatoes, spinach, pumpkins, sweet potato and, of course, carrots.) The mollusks and crustaceans flamingos snack on contain similar pigment-packing carotenoids.

Carotenoid levels in their food vary in different parts of the world, which is why American flamingos are usually bright red and orange, while lesser flamingos of the drought-plagued Lake Nakuru in central Kenya tend to be a paler pink. If a flamingo were to stop eating food containing carotenoids, its new feathers would begin growing in with a much paler shade, and its reddish feathers would eventually molt away. Molted feathers lose their pinkish hue. What a flamingo eats depends on what type of beak it has. Lesser, James' and Andean flamingos have what is called a deep-keeled bill. They eat mostly algae. Greater, Chilean and American flamingos have shallow-keeled bills, which allow them to eat insects, invertebrates and small fish. To eat, flamingos will stir up the bottom of the lake with their feet and duck their beaks down into the mud and water to catch their meal. Habits Groups of flamingos are called colonies or flocks. The colony works together to protect each other from predators and to take care of the young. It is believed that flamingos are monogamous, according to Sea World.

Once they mate, they tend to stay with that mate. A group of flamingos will all mate at the same time so that all of the chicks will hatch at the same time. Pairs will make nests out of mounds of mud, and the female will lay one egg at a time, according to the Smithsonian National Zoo . Each egg is a little bigger than a large chicken egg, at 3 to 3.5 inches (78 to 90 millimeters) long and 4 to 4.9 ounces (115 to 140 grams). The egg will take 27 to 31 days to hatch, and the emerging chick will only be 2.5 to 3.2 ounces (73 to 90 g). Young reach maturity at 3 to 5 years old. Baby flamingos are gray or white. They will turn pink within the first couple years of life. Flamingos live 20 to 30 years in the wild or up to 50 years in a zoo. Two adorable flamingo chicks were born this month at the Smithsonian's National Zoo in Washington, D.C.

The baby birds were the 100th and 101st flamingo chicks to hatch at the zoo's Bird House. Since flamingo chicks have a higher survival rate if they are hand-reared, zookeepers are keeping the babies out of the spotlight for now. When they are older, the birds will join the zoo's flock of flamingoes outside, according to Smithsonian officials. [Related Gallery: World's Cutest Baby Wild Animals ] Credit: Madelyn Duhon/Smithsonian's National Zoo Two adorable flamingo chicks were born this month at the Smithsonian's National Zoo in Washington, D.C. The baby birds were the 100th and 101st flamingo chicks to hatch at the zoo's Bird House. Since flamingo chicks have a higher survival rate if they are hand-reared, zookeepers are keeping the babies out of the spotlight for now. When they are older, the birds will join the zoo's flock of flamingoes outside, according to Smithsonian officials.

[Related Gallery: World's Cutest Baby Wild Animals ] Credit: Madelyn Duhon/Smithsonian's National Zoo Classification/Taxonomy The taxonomy of flamingos , according to ITIS, is: Kingdom: Animalia Phoenicoparrus jamesi (James' flamingo or puna flamingo) Phoenicopterus chilensis (Chilean flamingo) Phoenicopterus ruber (American flamingo or Caribbean flamingo) Conservation Status According to International Union for Conservation of Nature's Red List of Threatened Species, no flamingo species is currently considered endangered. The lesser , Chilean and James' flamingos are considered near threatened because their numbers are small or decreasing, according to the IUCN. Other facts Fossil evidence indicates that the group from which flamingos evolved is very old and existed about 30 million years ago, before many other avian orders had evolved, according to Sea World. It isn't really known why flamingos tend to stand on one foot, but it has been hypothesized that keeping one of their feet out of the cold water helps them to conserve body heat . It also seems to be a comfortable resting position for them.

Though it is believed that flamingos are tropical birds, they can also live and thrive in cold environments as long as they have access to plenty of water and food. In East Africa, more than 1 million flamingos have been known to gather together, forming the largest flock known, according to the Philadelphia Zoo . Other resources: Know What Flamingos Eat? You'll Be Amazed to Find Out Follow Us Know What Flamingos Eat? You'll Be Amazed to Find Out Did you know that the flamingo's pink color is associated with its diet? A flamingo's diet plays a major role in its appearance and other habits. Advertisement Flamingos Secrete Milk for Their Chicks! The newborn flamingo chicks are exclusively fed with the red-colored 'crop milk' secreted from the upper digestive tract of adult birds. Both the parents produce this milk, which is regurgitated and fed to the chicks, for around two months. Flamingos are fascinating birds with a pink plumage and some amazing features. They are found in different parts of the world, especially the tropical and subtropical regions of Africa, Asia, Europe, and America. These birds are found in both fresh and saline water.

The flamingo habitat includes lagoons, estuaries, mangrove swamps, mud flats, large shallow coastal and inland lakes, and tidal flats. Usually, flamingos are found in groups that wade through shallow waters in search of food. There are six species of flamingos, and their body color ranges between pale pink to bright pink, crimson, and vermilion. In fact, the name flamingo is derived from the Latin word 'flamma', which means flame, indicating their plumage color. The characteristic features of flamingos include their long legs and boomerang-shaped beaks. It is said that the color of these birds is derived from their diet. Lesser flamingos skimming the water surface for food Flamingo Diet The Newborn Chick feeds on its parents' milk, and has a Grayish-white Coat The plumage color of the flamingo is due to its diet. However, the bird is not born with the pink plumage. The newborn chick has a gray or whitish coat that is retained for around two to three years. The parents feed the newborn chick with their crop milk for around two months. The milk is reddish, as it contains the pigment canthaxanthin.

This pigment is stored in the liver of the chick, so that it can be used later. The parents' plumage color fades during the feeding period. Grownup chick The Plumage Color Changes as the Chick Starts Feeding The chick starts feeding on its own, within 30 to 42 days of birth. However, the parents feed the chick till they reach two to three months of age. Once it reaches 6 to 10 months of age, the coat turns dark gray, flight feathers develop, and its beak and legs begin to turn pink. The pinkish coloration develops gradually, as the chick becomes a subadult. The plumage color deepens as the bird reaches sexual maturity. The Flamingo's Distinctive Color is Derived From Its Diet! n short, the flamingo diet contains foods that are rich in carotenoid pigments, like canthaxanthin. However, its food preference may vary from one species to another. In general, a flamingo feeds on blue-green and red algae, small crustaceans, worms, and seeds. Its diet includes small fish and molluscs too.

Consumption of brine shrimp and algae is said to be the main reason for the characteristic plumage color of the flamingo. Flamingos feed on algae, crustaceans, and molluscs Feeding Habits and Adaptations Beak Structure and Food Preference The flamingo uses its keeled beak to collect food from water. The tongue as well as the beak have bristle-like structures that help in filtering food from the water that is taken inside the mouth. The shape and structure of the beak vary between different species. While some species have deep-keeled beaks, others have shallow-keeled beaks. Greater, Caribbean (American), and Chilean flamingos have shallow-keeled beaks. Andean, lesser, and James' flamingos have deep-keeled beaks. A shallow-keeled beak has a comparatively wider upper part and gape at the sides. A deep-keeled beak has a narrower upper part and gape at the dorsal surface of the bill. The flamingos with deep-keeled beaks have a relatively fine filter, and they are capable of filtering minute particles, like single-celled plants. These flamingos mainly feed on algae and diatoms.

Flamingos with shallow-keeled beaks have a coarse filter, and they trap molluscs, crustaceans, small fish, and insects that are around an inch in length. Greater Flamingo Pink Flamingo - Humanima - Discovery Pink Flamingo Fact about the Pink Flamingo Family: Phoenicopteridae Height: 1.2 to 1.45 m Weight: 2.5 to 3.5 kg Wingspan: 1.4 to 1.7 m Sexual maturity: 3 years Curved bill is pink with black tip Pink plumage Black wingtips Long pink legs with webbed feet The Pink Flamingo (Phoenicopterus roseus) is a wading bird famous for its grace and beauty. It is found around the perimeter of the Mediterranean Sea, in Central Asia and in southern Africa. Another species of pink flamingo is native to Central and South America. Salt water dweller The life of the Pink Flamingo is closely tied to the presence of water, generally shallow areas such as lagoons and coastal marshes with a high salt concentration and teeming with small organisms.

Filter feeder To find food, the Pink Flamingo digs with its curved bill in the sediment-laden water, where it gathers a variety of aquatic plants and invertebrates such as algae, protozoa, shellfish and insects. The lamellae attached to the inside of its bill function as a filter, allowing the bird to expel the water while retaining nutrients in its mouth. Special diet Since few animals are attracted to waters with a high salt concentration, the Pink Flamingo reigns unchallenged in its feeding zones. However, being specialized makes it highly dependent and vulnerable. If changes in its habitat deprive it of its regular food source, it is unable to adapt, even temporarily, to another diet. Vibrant plumage The plumage of the Pink Flamingo is unique in the animal world. The color of the feathers covering the bird’s body can be various shades of pink, while the wings are darker-coloured and bordered by a black fringe. Ingestion of small shellfish rich in carotene, such as shrimp, gives the plumage its outstanding pink radiance. Powerful wings The height and weight of this large bird require it to run while beating its wings to take flight.

Once airborne, it lifts its legs and straightens its neck like an arrow. Thanks to its powerful wings, the bird can fly at speeds up to 60 km/h and travel hundreds of kilometres without having to land. Crowded colonies The Pink Flamingo, which nests in teeming colonies, habitually sleeps standing on one leg with its head tucked into its feathers. During the weeks leading up to nesting season, hundreds and sometimes thousands of pairs engage in an elaborate courtship ritual, during which they entwine their long necks. Shared parenting Shortly after mating, both male and female build a nest in a marshy area. The female lays a single egg on a mound of mud safe from predators. Over the following month, the parents take turns incubating the egg until it hatches. First flight Ten days after birth, the chick leaves the nest under the close surveillance of the parents. Both parents secrete nourishing crop milk, which they regurgitate into the chick’s mouth. At about two months of age, once its bill has fully curved downward, the young flamingo becomes capable of feeding itself, and also begins to fly. The pink colour in the feathers does not appear until its first birthday.

Fragile waterfowl While the Pink Flamingo has few natural predators, the eggs and chicks sometimes fall prey to other birds. This impressive but fragile bird is vulnerable to changes in its habitat. Pollution, habitat loss and habitat degradation are the primary threats facing this species. Harsh winter weather, which can sometimes take non-migrating birds by surprise, can also devastate colonies. Related articles

Question: What gives the flamingo the colour of its plumage?
Answer: Diet