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Animal's Behavior

Gregarious, social, noisy and colorful, Caribbean flamingos can be found in flocks of hundreds or thousands of birds. Their curious habit of standing on one leg has prompted several theories from experts, who believe the behavior may be related to conserving body heat or keeping both legs from getting wet. Both male and female flamingos nurse their young with a type of milk called crop milk. These birds have been around for a long time. Their fossil records date back about 10 million years!

Eating Habits

Flamingos hold their bills upside-down to feed. Using a special adaptation in the bill, they filter-feed to gather the insects, worms and micro-organisms that make up their diet. The beta-carotene in their natural diet contributes to their bright pink coloration.

Range

Caribbean flamingos can be found in lagoons and lakes in the Caribbean, South America and the Galapagos Islands.

Conservation Efforts

There are nearly 900,000 flamingos across the globe. While they are listed as a species of least concern, habitat destruction does present somewhat of a challenge to this species.

Animal Facts

• The Caribbean flamingo is the brightest and largest of the flamingo species.
• The name flamingo comes from the Latin word for “flame.”

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