Flamingos, with their long legs, curving beaks and bright orange color, are the showstoppers of the bird world. People love to watch them at zoos and nature preserves. In the wild, flamingos live in flocks in Florida, Central and South America, as well as a few places in Africa.
Have you ever wondered why flamingos are pink or orange? Some foods, such as carrots, get their orange color from carotenoids. If you ate nothing but carrots, your skin and even your eyes would become orange. Flamingoes eat algae and tiny shellfish that are rich in carotenoids, which is why these birds are pink or orange. If they ate a different diet, they would lose their brilliant color.
Fun Facts about Flamingos for Kids
- Flamingos have a funny way of eating. They place their bills upside down in the water and suck water into their mouths. Then they pump the water out the sides of their mouths. Tiny plants and animals remain to make a tasty meal.
- Flamingos prefer to stand on one foot.
- Flamingos look big, but they weigh only 5 to 6 pounds.
- Flamingos can live 30 to 50 years.
- Flamingos make nests from mud. They usually lay only one egg. Both parents take care of the egg, which hatches after 30 days.
- Baby flamingos stay in the nest for a few weeks. Then they gather with other young flamingos.
Flamingo Vocabulary
- Curving: bended
- Showstopper: fancy, bright; attracts attention
- Flock: group
- Algae: water plants
- Bill: beak
Learn More All About Flamingos
Flamingos can be very interesting and silly. Check out this funny video of a flamingo family.
An entertaining video of a flamingo family dancing.
Flamingo Q&A
Question: How do flamingos feed their babies?
Answer: Flamingos make a special liquid called crop milk in their digestive tract. They spit this up to feed their babies. Both males and females can make the milk.
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Question: Can flamingos fly?
Answer: Flamingos are an awesome sight in flight. They fly in large flocks with their necks and legs outstretched.
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