Student Article
Flamingo Guide: How to Identify Each Species, Where to See Them — and Why Flamingos are Pink
Feathers (noun): The soft covering found on birds and some dinosaurs.
Carotenoids (noun): Natural colors found in plants and tiny animals that can make things orange or pink.
Lagoon (noun): A small, shallow lake often near the sea.
Crop milk (noun): A special food made in a bird’s throat for baby birds.
Flamingos are amazing birds with pink feathers. Let’s find out what makes them so special!
Where in the world are flamingos?
There are six kinds of flamingos in the world. Some live in Africa, South America, the Caribbean, and even high up in the mountains. The types are called the greater flamingo, Chilean flamingo, lesser flamingo, Caribbean flamingo, Andean flamingo, and puna flamingo.
What makes flamingos pink?
Flamingos are big, graceful birds that stand on long legs and have bright pink feathers. But did you know flamingos aren’t born pink? Baby flamingos are gray when they hatch. They turn pink because of what they eat — tiny shrimp and algae full of something called carotenoids. These special chemicals turn their feathers pink!
Life in the flock
Flamingos like to live in large groups near salty lakes or lagoons. They are noisy birds and make honking and grunting sounds. To find food, they put their beaks upside down in the water and use them like a filter.
Raising a chick the flamingo way
Flamingos also do something very special for their chicks. Both the mother and father make a pink liquid in their throat called "crop milk." They feed this to their babies! This food is full of nutrients and turns the babies pink over time. Flamingos build nests out of mud and lay their eggs there. Baby flamingos take about three years to become fully pink.
The long life of flamingos
Flamingos can live a very long time — some can even live up to 70 years! These beautiful birds are not just pretty — they’re full of surprises!
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Feathers (noun): The soft covering found on birds and some dinosaurs.
Carotenoids (noun): Natural colors found in plants and tiny animals that can make things orange or pink.
Lagoon (noun): A small, shallow lake often near the sea.
Crop milk (noun): A special food made in a bird’s throat for baby birds.