Their unusual beaks are specialized for filtering out brine shrimp and algae from the water. These highly social birds travel in flocks of thousands of individual birds. (Video opens on YouTube) Subscribe to animalfunfacts.Flamingos are a group made up of six species of colorful water birds, found in South and Central America, Africa, the Caribbean, the Middle East and India, with one species occasionally venturing into Florida in the United States. These birds appear in hieroglyphics from ancient Egypt as well as Stone Age cave drawings. biologists are now back to thinking they’re part of the stork family again. Flamingos Are Storksįlamingos were considered part of the stork family, then the waterfowl family, then shorebirds. Therefore, both flamingo dad and mum are able to feed their offspring. It is about 12 in (30 cm) high so that the eggs cannot be washed away by the flood. After hatching, a flamingo baby stays between 5 and 12 days in its nest and is fed with a special milk from the upper intestinal tract (yummy!). The nest of the flamingo is not much more than a hollow in the mud and therefore not particularly inviting. Species Where Do the Different Flamingo Species Live? This is generally an environment where hardly any other animals live - apart from those that can live in these conditions as well as flamingos: small organisms like crustaceans. 0 is very acidic and 14 is very alkaline. The pH value shows how alkaline or acidic a liquid is. The flamingo’s natural habitat is alkaline or saltwater lakes. Marching: The flamingos march in one direction like a brass band before they suddenly stop and change the direction.Īmerican Flamingo - Photo: Curioso/Shutterstock Habitat Where do Flamingos Live? Twist-preen: The flamingo turns its neck backwards and quickly moves its bill through the feathers. Wing-salute: The flamingo displays different plumage colors by spreading its wings. Head-flagging: The flamingo stretches its neck and head up in the air and tilts it from side to side. The zoologist Phil Kahl documented them with their official names: If you take your time to watch, flamingos perform several funny moves. Even in the air they love to socialize and fly in large groups. When flying through the air, they quickly and permanently flap their wings most of the time. Yes! But they have to take a run-up in order to reach the required speed. Groups of more than one million lesser flamingos have been sighted at Lake Natron in Tanzania (East Africa).Īmerican Flamingo - Photo: Curioso/Shutterstock Senses and Abilities Can Flamingos Fly? Sometimes they live in groups of more than 10,000 birds. Flamingos Are Gregariousįlamingos are very sociable. The little crustaceans and algae are filtered by the lamellae of the so-called sieve beak. How Do Flamingos Eat?įlamingos gather water and mud with their bills and then pump it out again through the sides of their bills. As soon as the leg is hidden under the feathers and no longer exposed to the cold water, the heart does not need to pump as much blood through the veins. Standing on one leg probably helps them to conserve their body heat more efficiently and save energy. There are many theories about this mystery. James's Flamingo - Photo: Curioso/Shutterstock Behavior Why Do Flamingos Often Stand on One Leg? With their long legs Flamingos are able to wade into the deeper water and gather food other birds cannot reach. All flamingos have this bright to flashy pink color in common except for the Andean flamingo, which is the only species with yellow legs. The algae and crustaceans on the flamingo’s menu contain certain color pigments which are responsible for the pink tinge. Anatomy and Appearance Why Are Flamingos Pink?įlamingos obtain their flashy pink color from their food. There are six different species: the greater flamingo, Chilean flamingo, lesser flamingo, Caribbean flamingo, Andean flamingo and puna flamingo. 40-55 in (100-140 cm) 37-65 in (95-165 cm) (wingspan)Īfrica, Central and South America, Asia, Europeįlamingos are birds that stand out thanks to their pink plumage and habit of sleeping while standing on one leg.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |