Overview
Pretty in Pink
American flamingos are large, social birds known for their bright pink color, long legs, and long necks. They live in the shallow waters of the Caribbean, the Bahamas, parts of Central America, northern South America, and the Galápagos Islands. They are sometimes seen in southern Florida as well. Flamingos often gather in large flocks for safety, migration, and breeding.
Characteristics
The American flamingo is a large bird that wades in shallow water. It has long legs and a long neck. Its bright pink color comes from pigments in the small animals and algae it eats. Flamingos have black feathers on the edges of their wings, long pink legs with webbed feet, and a curved bill with a black tip that helps them filter food from the water.
Behavior
American flamingos are very social birds. They live, mate, and feed in large groups to stay safe from predators. However, when they are eating, each flamingo protects its own feeding spot. They defend their areas by stretching their necks, spreading their wings, and sometimes "bill fencing."
Flamingos often stand on one leg. It is thought that they do that to stay warm. When they fly, they stretch out their necks and trail their feet behind them. They migrate long distances in groups, running to take off and flying in noisy V-shaped formations. They can land on both land and water.
Diet
American flamingos eat foods like brine shrimp, fly larvae, and mollusks. They also eat algae, small seeds, and other plant material. The pink color of flamingos comes from pigments in the small animals they eat.
Threats
The American flamingo is listed as "least concern" on the IUCN Red List. Flamingos are not currently endangered because they live in many places and migrate often. However, some local threats still affect them, such as polluted food and human activity that can disturb breeding.
How We're Helping
The American flamingo is part of the Species Survival Plan at Brookfield Zoo Chicago. Learn more about this cooperative population management and conservation program here.
