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Flamingo Facts

The word flamingo comes from the Latin word for flame.  Flamingos live about 20 years in the wild and about 50 in captivity.  They can reach up to 5 feet in height.  They range from 6-7 pounds in weight.  They have a wingspan between 55-65 inches.  An adult flamingos legs are longer than its body.  The flamingos eye is LARGER than its brain!!  Flamingos are not native to North America.  They get their pink color from the food they eat that has carotene in it.  They draw water into their beak, then force it out with their tongue, this traps the food particles on the tiny hair like lamella.  Flamingos stand on one leg, like other birds- its just more noticeable on the flamingo.  They have webbed feet to help support them on mud.  What we call their knees are really their ankles.  They can sit down by extending their legs backwards.  They can fly and even swim.  They live in big colonies for protection.  Colonies of a few individuals are rare.  Flamingos have courtship displays such as bobbing their head, twisting their head around and marching.  They are defenseless.  Their main predator in man because it is vulnerable to habitat destruction.  Flamingos' main way of protection is to fly away.  Their nests range from 12-20 inches in diameter.  Both parents take part in the nest building.  Flamingo vocalizations range from nasal honking to grunting to growling.  Flamingos are very social birds. So come and join our family.