Flamingo Skelly-3 inch

Flamingos are some of the most fascinating and flamboyant birds out there. Here are the highlights about them:

Appearance & Color

They’re famous for their pink, coral, and reddish feathers.

That color actually comes from carotenoid pigments in the algae, shrimp, and crustaceans they eat. Without that diet, flamingos would be pale or even grayish.

Behavior

Flamingos are very social and usually live in flocks that can number in the thousands.

They perform synchronized group displays—head flagging, wing spreading, marching—to strengthen bonds and attract mates.

They feed by stirring up mud with their feet and filtering food through their specialized beaks, which are curved and lined with comb-like structures.

Unique Traits

They often stand on one leg while resting. Scientists aren’t 100% sure why, but it might help conserve body heat or muscle energy.

Flamingos are strong fliers, even though we often picture them wading—they migrate long distances when food is scarce.

Life Cycle

Both parents take turns incubating the single egg, placed in a mud nest.

Baby flamingos, called chicks, are born gray or white, and it takes a few years for them to develop their famous pink plumage.

Symbolism

Spiritually and symbolically, flamingos often represent balance, beauty, and emotional expression—kind of fitting with their bold presence and graceful nature.