Difference between revisions of "Flamingo"
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| − | A '''Flamingo''' is a [[pink]] [[bird]] that lives in marshlands. They are native to tropical South/Central America and Africa. Flamingoes have uniquely designed beaks with a filter-feeding system that allows them to skim small [[algae]] from the surface of the waters. | + | A '''Flamingo''' is a [[pink]] [[bird]] that lives in marshlands. They are native to tropical South/Central America and Africa. Flamingoes have uniquely designed beaks with a filter-feeding system that allows them to skim small [[algae]] from the surface of the waters. The pink color observed in some flamingos derives from carotenoids present in their diet. For this reason captive flamingos are sometimes fed the color enhancer canthaxanthin. |
Flamingoes are unique birds in that they seem to, for lack of a better term, dance. As a large group, one can witness the flamingoes bowing their heads, flapping their wings, running back and forth in unison and then taking off into the sky. It is unknown what exactly the purpose of this "dancing" is, though it has been suggested that it is somewhat of a mating ritual.<ref>[http://www.pbs.org/wnet/nature/firebird/html/facts.html "Firebird Facts", PBS Nature]</ref> | Flamingoes are unique birds in that they seem to, for lack of a better term, dance. As a large group, one can witness the flamingoes bowing their heads, flapping their wings, running back and forth in unison and then taking off into the sky. It is unknown what exactly the purpose of this "dancing" is, though it has been suggested that it is somewhat of a mating ritual.<ref>[http://www.pbs.org/wnet/nature/firebird/html/facts.html "Firebird Facts", PBS Nature]</ref> | ||
Revision as of 23:26, May 12, 2011
A Flamingo is a pink bird that lives in marshlands. They are native to tropical South/Central America and Africa. Flamingoes have uniquely designed beaks with a filter-feeding system that allows them to skim small algae from the surface of the waters. The pink color observed in some flamingos derives from carotenoids present in their diet. For this reason captive flamingos are sometimes fed the color enhancer canthaxanthin.
Flamingoes are unique birds in that they seem to, for lack of a better term, dance. As a large group, one can witness the flamingoes bowing their heads, flapping their wings, running back and forth in unison and then taking off into the sky. It is unknown what exactly the purpose of this "dancing" is, though it has been suggested that it is somewhat of a mating ritual.[1]