Flamingos brighten up the animal kingdom with their shocking pink feathers. These social birds live in massive colonies that can number in the thousands. Furthermore, they thrive in harsh environments where few other animals can survive. Consequently, their biology contains some of the strangest adaptations in nature. Explore these fascinating details about the pink icons of the tropics.
Flamingos
Baby flamingos are born with grey or white feathers. They only turn pink after consuming a diet rich in beta-carotene for several years.
They famously stand on one leg to conserve body heat. Scientists found that tucking one leg up helps them regulate temperature in cold water.
Surprisingly, the joint you see bending in the middle of their leg is actually their ankle. Their true knee is hidden high up inside their feathers.
Both parents produce a substance called “crop milk” to feed their chicks. Remarkably, this liquid is bright red and comes from the lining of their digestive tract.
Flamingos must turn their heads upside down to eat properly. Their beaks act like scoops that filter food from the water only when inverted.
They can drink near-boiling water from geysers without injury. Furthermore, they thrive in corrosive soda lakes that would burn the skin off most other animals.
A group of these birds is officially called a “flamboyance.” This colorful name perfectly describes a gathering of thousands of bright pink feathers.
Don Featherstone invented the plastic lawn flamingo in 1957. Consequently, experts estimate that plastic flamingos now outnumber real ones in the United States.
They are strong flyers that can travel at speeds of 37 miles per hour (60 kilometers per hour). They often migrate at night to avoid predators like eagles.
The Greater Flamingo stands up to 5 feet (1.5 meters) tall. Conversely, the Lesser Flamingo is the smallest species and reaches only about 3 feet (0.9 meters).
They hold their breath while they feed underwater. This prevents them from inhaling the salty or alkaline water while they filter for shrimp.
Their eyes are actually larger than their brains. This large ocular size helps them spot predators while their heads are down in the mud.
Mating pairs build a volcano-shaped nest out of mud. They pile the mud up to 12 inches (30 centimeters) high to protect the egg from flooding.
They perform a synchronized group dance to attract mates. Hundreds of birds march together, turn their heads, and flash their wings in unison.
Finally, a flamingo can live for a surprisingly long time. Some individuals in captivity have lived to be over 80 years old.
