Range: From Central Peru southward along the Andes to Tierra del Fuego; also found along both coasts of South America and in pampas of Argentina.
Habitat: Mainly near salt lakes.
Description: Intermediate pink color; gray legs banded with pink at the knee joints; pink feet; 4 toes; very long legs and long neck; black on beak and around edge of primary flight feathers.
Adaptations/Habitat: The coloring of the flamingo's plumage depends on its diet since the pink tinge of its plumage is the result of its consumption of the coloring matter in the crustaceans that it eats. In captivity it is essential to obtain shrimps or other coloring for the flamingos, otherwise their plumage becomes white. The beak has an adapted filtration apparatus which functions like a comb. The filter has thousands of tiny filaments which allow the water to pass through but which dredge out the tiny food particles. In order to feed, they shake their heads from side to side to sieve the food from the water. The flamingo is a social bird and lives in colonies near water. They have webbed feet, are good swimmers, and can feed with their heads submerged while swimming. There is a complex social structure among flamingos, who also have ritualized stretching and preening routines.
Breeding/Growth:
Diet: Small swimming crustaceans; algae; unicellular organisms.
