The World of Flamingos

Flamingos are not native to North America, but we have had a fascination with them anyway! Starting in the 50's, flamingos have inhabited lawns all across the U.S. There was a 50's doo wop group called by that name and even a move with that title. And there are literally thousands of streets, hotels and other businesses with the name attached.

The name 'flamingo' comes from a Latin word meaning flame. The ancient Greeks worshipped them as the Sun God, Ra. But later Roman cultures just ate them.

Habitat

Flamingos are found from Yucatan and West Indies to the northeastern coast of South America. They are very social birds and live in large groups for protection, called pats, usually of about 70-75 birds. They are the national bird of the Bahamas. They live and breed in areas of standing water, such as lagoons, shallow ponds and hot mud flats. The latter is how they got the name of Firebird.

Breeding

It takes about 3 years for the birds to get their full color and they do not breed until that occurs. Mating dances are performed with head bobbing and grunts and squeaks. They appear to be monogamous, with the male helping to protect the eggs and young chicks.

The female will build a large mud and grass conical shaped nest, often a foot high. At the top of the nest is a shallow depression where she will usually just lay one egg. It takes about 30 days for the egg to hatch.

The mother will feed the chicks for about 75 days even though they are able to eat on their own earlier. There is a dispute about whether this food is reguritated as some think or a special food the mother manufactures.

Flamingos do breed well in captivity and can live about 50 years, somewhat less years in the wild. Their natural predators are few since they live in such harsh environment, but larger birds such as vultures and some species of eagles will attack the eggs and small chicks. Flamingos' worst enemy is humans who are destroying their natural habitat. They have been known to abandon nesting areas because of low-flying planes and water shortages.

Feeding

Flamingos are what is called filter feeders. They dip their heads underwater and scoop backwards with their heads upside down! They have small hair-like feelers called Lamella which catch food while the water drains. Their diet consists of fish, molluses, crustaceans, insect, and algae. Flamingos get their color because their food is rich in alpha and beta carotenoid pigments. Many zoos have been successful in introducing carrots to their flocks.

Physical Characteristics

Adult flamingos reach a height between 50-60 inches and weigh between 5-8 lbs. Their legs are longer than their bodies. They have 19 vertebrae in their necks which help with flexibility. Another boost in flexibility is what some people mistakenly consider their knees. They are actually ankles and allow the bird to fold his legs and sit.

Flamingos have a keen sense of hearing, and although they have poor night vision, it is still better than humans. Just one of their eyes will weigh more than their brain! They can both swim and fly. Their feet are webbed for standing in soft mud and as with all birds will rest on one foot, switching back and forth. All adult flamingos have 12 black flight feathers in each wing.

Classification:

Class: Aves
Order: Phoenicopteriformes
Family: Phoenicopteridae
Genus: Phoenicopterus
Species: Phoenicopterus roseus
Phoenicopterus minor
Phoenicopterus jamesi
Phoenicopterus andinus
Phoenicopterus chilensis
Phoenicopterus ruber

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