flamingos

Flamingos are a group of wading birds in the family Phoenicopteridae. They are found in shallow lakes and lagoons across Africa, the Americas, Asia, and parts of Europe. Flamingos are notable for their long legs, long necks, and uniquely shaped bills. Their plumage ranges from pale pink to bright red, a color produced by carotenoid pigments in their diet of algae and crustaceans. Juveniles are gray or white and gradually acquire color as they mature.

Flamingos are filter feeders. They feed by tilting their heads upside down in the water and using comb-like lamellae in their beaks to trap small organisms such as algae, small crustaceans, and other invertebrates. They inhabit saline or alkaline lakes, lagoons, and mudflats where these resources are abundant. Flamingos are highly social and form large colonies that can number in the thousands, a behavior that aids in feeding efficiency and predator avoidance and supports complex mating displays.

Breeding occurs in colonies and includes elaborate group displays to attract mates. They build mud nests above the water and typically lay a single egg, incubated by both parents for about 25 to 30 days. The chick is fed by regurgitated food and fends for itself as it grows, gradually developing its characteristic pink coloration.

There are six living species of flamingos: greater flamingo, lesser flamingo, Chilean flamingo, pink-backed flamingo, Andean flamingo, and James's flamingo. They are classified into four genera: Phoenicopterus (greater and Chilean), Phoeniconaias (lesser), Phoenicoptilus (pink-backed), and Phoenicoparrus (Andean and James's). Conservation statuses vary by species, with threats including habitat loss, pollution, and disturbance in breeding habitats.