When doing this they will pull the other leg close to their body to help conserve heat. Because flamingos get their coloration from what they eat, flamingo chicks lack the pink color for the first few months of their life. Inside of their bill they have two lamellae, or comb-like bristles, that help catch the small pieces of food. Flamingos get their coloration from the crustaceans they eat, which contain beta-carotene. Flamingos often stand on one leg. This means that they scoop up water and filter out tiny animals and plants to eat. The Zoo has a large population of over 20 flamingos! Fascinating Factsįlamingos are filter feeders. Andrean Flamingo, Phoenicoparrus andinus. Chilean Flamingo, Pheonicopterus chilensis. Many of these were sent to other institutions, increasing the captive population of flamingos so that people around the country can view these majestic birds. IOC World Bird List recognizes six species of flamingos, as of Nov 2016: American Flamingo, Phenicopterus ruber. The Birmingham Zoo has hand raised over 50 flamingo chicks. They have been possibly extirpated, or gone extinct in a specific region, in Antigua and Barbuda. In most of their range, American Flamingo population is increasing.
Plastic pink flamingos have been a popular lawn decoration since the late 1950’s. The croquet mallets in the Disney adaptation of Alice in Wonderland are flamingoes. Because of their quirky colors and interesting proportions, they have been seen in many movies, signage, and even front gardens. Cultural Connectionsįlamingos are an iconic bird in American popular culture. Once the chick hatches, the parents will feed it a nutrient-rich secretion similar to milk to help the chick grow. The parents lay one egg and both take turns incubating. Once they find a mate, they will build a volcano-shaped mud cone as a nest. They choose a mate based on which bird has the movements closest to theirs. Reproductionĭuring courtship, Flamingos perform a large group dance. In the zoo they get a special moistened food called Mazuri Flamingo Complete and Flamingo Breeder. In the wild flamingos eat crustaceans, algae, worms, mollusks, and some vegetation.
In the wild the life expectancy is 40 years, and in zoos it can be up to 50 years. The most distinctive feature of the flamingo is its bright pink coloration, covering most of the body feathers. Physical Description/Characteristicsįlamingos are three to four feet tall, and weigh between six and eight pounds. Salt water habitats including salt lakes and coastal lagoons. Mostly islands and coastal regions of Central America and northern South America, including Venezuela, Mexico, Cuba, Puerto Rico and the Galapagos Islands.
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