Flamingos are among the most recognizable birds out there. You just can’t miss them thanks to their bright pink color, S-shaped neck, and habit of resting on one leg. But despite this, people usually don’t know a lot about them. So let’s change that and learn some interesting facts about these beautiful feathered creatures.
Flamingos are Not Born Pink
This might be a big surprise, but flamingos are actually born with grey or white feathers. Their feathers turn pink over time thanks to the food they consume. They eat food like shrimp, plankton, and algae, which all have the pigment carotene, the same one featured in tomatoes and carrots.
Flamingos Have Really Long Legs
You might have noticed that flamingos have long legs. But did you know that their legs can be more than 4 feet long? This is usually longer than their entire body.
Flamingos Make Their Nest Out of Mud
Unlike most other birds, flamingos lay their eggs in nests made out of mud. Both mom and dad take their parenthood duties seriously, building the nest and incubating the egg as a team.
Flamingos are Social Birds
Flamingos like to spend time around their species. The group or a flock of flamingos is called flamboyance and can count anywhere from a few dozen birds to million flamingos.
Flamingos Can Be Found in Most Parts of the World
There are six species of flamingo and you can find at least one of the species in most parts of the world. In the wild, they can be found in Europe, the Caribbean, Central and South America, Africa, and the Middle East. American flamingo naturally inhabits North America, but they don’t breed there.