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Facts about Flamingos

Not all flamingos are brightly colored, however, and some of the birds are mostly gray or white. The strength of a flamingo's coloration comes from its diet. ... Flamingos are strong but rare swimmers and powerful fliers, even though they're most often seen just wading.Nov 30, 2017

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.Jan 29, 2018

Lesser, James', and Andean flamingos have deep-keeled bills and feed mainly on algae and diatoms. Greater, Caribbean, and Chilean flamingos have shallow-keeled bills and feed on insects, aquatic invertebrates, and small fishes. Caribbean flamingos eat larval and pupal forms of flies and brine shrimp as their main food.

Because flamingos have long legs, they can wade into much deeper water than most other birds. Webbed feet support them on soft mud. When the water is beyond their wading depth, flamingos swim at the surface while feeding. Webbed feet allow the flamingo to swim quite readily.

Flamingos at rest, standing on one leg. This posture may be used by the birds to conserve body heat. The brilliant pink feathers, gangly neck and upside-down eating are enough to make flamingos a spectacle at any zoo and generate a barrage of questions from curious children.Sep 17, 2009

When flamingos migrate, they do so mainly at night. They prefer to fly with a cloudless sky and favorable tailwinds. They can travel approximately 600 km (373 miles) in one night at about 50 to 60 kph (31-37 mph).

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