In nature we see many species of birds. These birds live in different places all over the world depending on their adaptability. Different birds have different characteristics depending on their behavior, nature and color. One such bird is flamingo. They are very beautiful and interesting to watch. In the previous article we discussed, why cuckoos lay their eggs in other nest. Today we will discuss about flamingo bird.
About flamingo bird
General feature:
Flamingo bird is a large bird with long legs that can be found in tropical regions. The size of this bird varies from one region to another. It has a very big body range from about 90cm to 150cm and its wings are not as strong as those of other birds. Its feathers are also very colorful. This bird can fly for hours without resting. It is a migratory bird which means it moves from one place to another during winter season. Flamingos are mainly vegetarian but they eat insects too. They feed on plants like grasses, leaves, fruits, seeds etc. Flamingo is an excellent swimmer and can dive into water up to 20 meters deep. They can survive even if there is no food available. They can stay underwater for more than 30 minutes. Their diet consists of algae, small fish, crustaceans, mollusks, worms, snails, frogs, reptiles, amphibians, insects, and some plant matter.
Habitat:
Flamingos are mostly seen in warm climates where there is plenty of vegetation. They prefer areas with shallow waters or lakes. They do not need much space because they can easily find enough food. They can be found in both fresh and saltwater. They love to drink salty water. They can be found anywhere between sea level and 4500 feet above sea level.
Distribution:
Flamingos are birds in the family Phoenicopteridae, which is one of the two extant families in the order Phoenicopteriformes. There are four flamingos species found across the Americas (and the Caribbean) and two species native to Africa. They are found in coastal areas, rivers, lakes, swamps, marshes, ponds, estuaries, and wetlands.
Behavior:
Flamingoes are usually seen standing still. They spend most of their time sitting on the ground. They often sit on rocks and logs. They use these spots to rest, sleep, and brood their young ones. They also use them to hide from predators. When danger approaches, they run away quickly. They can walk slowly when they want to move around. They can also jump high. They can climb trees and bushes. They can also fly. They are known to migrate every year.
Reproduction:
The breeding season begins in March and ends in August. During this period, males build nests by using sticks, twigs, and mud. Females come back to the same spot after laying their eggs. After hatching, chicks remain in the nest for about three weeks. Then they leave the nest and start feeding themselves. They continue to grow until they reach maturity at the age of five years.
Nesting:
The nesting process starts in March. Males dig holes in the ground and line them with soft material. They then cover the hole with dried grasses, branches, and leaves. Females lay their eggs in the nest. Each female lays 2-3 eggs per day. She covers her eggs with sand and pebbles. Eggs hatch within 24 days. Chicks take about 3 months to mature.
Classification of flamingo
According to ITIS
- Kingdom: Animalia
- Phylum: Chordata
- Class: Aves
- Order: Phoenicopteriformes
- Family: Phoenicopteridae
- Genera: Phoeniconaias, Phoenicoparrus, Phoenicopterus
Flamingoes species
There are four flamingos species in the world. These include the Chilean flamingo, the common flamingo, the greater flamingo, and the lesser flamingo.
Chilean flamingo
This flamingo lives in South America. It is the smallest flamingo species. It is also called the Andean flamingo. It is a medium sized bird with a pinkish color. It has a black head and neck, white belly, red bill, yellow legs, and a dark brown tail. It weighs about 1.5kg.
Common flamingo
This flamingo is the largest flamingo species. It can weigh up to 5 kg. It is a medium colored bird with a gray head and neck, white underparts, a black bill, yellow legs, a reddish tail, and a long slender neck. The male’s wingspan is about 2 meters.
Greater flamingo
This flamingos is the third largest flamingo species. Its wingspan is about 2.2 meters. It is a medium size bird with a grayish head and neck, white body, a black bill, a yellowish leg, and a reddish tail. It weighs about 4.8 kg.
Lesser flamingo
This flamingos is the fourth largest flamingo species. The wingspan is about 2 m. It is a small bird with a grayish color. It has an orangey-red bill, a yellowish green face, a yellowish green neck, a yellowish green breast, a yellowish green belly, and a yellowish green tail. It weighs about 0.9 kg.
Flamingoes life-cycle
Flamingos usually live for 20 to 30 year, but there are some that have been known to survive for 50+ year. Flamingoes are usually feed fish. They’re wading filter feeders, chiefly eating algae.
A group of flamingo is called a flamboyance.
There are two types of flamboyances. One type is a flock. Flocks are made up of several flamingos. Another type is a colony. Colonies are made up of one or more pairs of flamingos.
Final thought
Flamingo are very beautiful bird in nature. They are very social and they like to stay together. In this article, we discussed about flamingoes behavior, classification, species and many more. Hope, you enjoyed this article very much.
