Flamingos enjoy wading through water.
Flamingos are perhaps one of the most iconic birds in nature, representing exotic beauty. They are often associated with colorful lawn decorations and can be seen along sidewalks of tropical tourist destinations. Flamingos enjoy wading in water and sifting through mud for food. They often move in groups, dotting beaches with pink flecks. People are making efforts to keep these birds off the endangered list.
Identification
Flamingos are rarely mistaken for other birds because of their pink color and long legs. Many times, flamingos stand on one leg with the other leg tucked under their body. Their beaks are long and curve downward, allowing them to scoop food from shallow water exceptionally well. Flamingos have webbed feet, which allows them to stand without sinking in muddy water. Flamingos are colorful because of their diet. White or pale flamingos are malnourished, according to the Bird Life website.
Types of Flamingos
There are six species of flamingo, which are the Caribbean, Chilean, Andean, James, greater and lesser flamingo. The greater flamingo is the tallest of the species and can reach up to 5 feet tall. The lesser flamingo is about 2 to 3 feet tall. The most obvious difference between the greater and lesser flamingos is their beaks. The greater flamingo has a pink beak and the lesser flamingo has a darker red beak.
Features
The most identifiable features of the flamingo are the most interesting. The flamingo beak operates like a "filter," according to the Tropical Birds website, because it removes protein from the water the bird holds in it beak. What looks like a knee is actually an ankle joint that distributes heat through the leg. The bird also has a vocal song that is as distinctive as its looks. The birds often swing their heads from side to side. Flamingos eat algae and shrimp and are pink or red due to the carotenoid proteins they consume.
Geography
Flamingos live in lakes, swamps, lagoons or where they can find large amounts of water and mud. They need deep water for feeding and nesting and the sandy islands in the intertidal zone are a favorite spot for these birds, according to The Wild Ones website. They prefer warm climates of extreme southern United States, northern South America, West Indies, Yucatan and the Galapagos Islands. They are also known to survive in Bolivia and Uruguay.
History
Tropical locations and vacation spots often use the large pink birds with long legs as familiar icons. They are considered a threatened species, reports the Bird Life website. They often march in unison. They fly but, unlike most birds, they use wind and ground speed to lift from the ground.
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