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Colorful Feathers: Flamingos are known for their vibrant pink feathers, but did you know that their color actually comes from the food they eat? Their diet, which consists mainly of brine shrimp and blue-green algae, contains pigments called carotenoids. These carotenoids get deposited in their feathers, giving them their distinctive pink hue.
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Standing on One Leg: One of the most peculiar behaviors of flamingos is their ability to stand on one leg for extended periods. While it may seem like a balancing act, scientists believe that this posture helps them conserve body heat and energy. By tucking one leg up close to their body, they minimize heat loss from their exposed limbs.
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Sociable Birds: Flamingos are highly social birds and often live in large colonies or flocks that can consist of thousands of individuals. These gatherings serve various purposes, including finding mates, protecting against predators, and sharing information about food sources.
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Filter-Feeding Experts: Flamingos have a unique feeding adaptation that allows them to filter tiny organisms from the water. They use their specialized beak, which is shaped like an upside-down shovel, to sweep through the water, trapping food like algae, small crustaceans, and insects. Their tongue acts as a piston, sucking water in and expelling it through comb-like structures called lamellae, leaving behind the trapped food.
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Incredible Flyers: Despite their somewhat awkward appearance on land, flamingos are graceful and powerful flyers. With their long wingspan, they can reach speeds of up to 35 miles per hour (56 kilometers per hour) while flying. Flamingos often migrate long distances to find suitable breeding grounds and feeding areas, demonstrating their impressive flying abilities.
Ready to strut into Summer with us?! Join us for Flamingo Day June 30th!