Key Information
Flamingoes
| Species | 6 species |
| Diet | Omnivore |
| Height | 2.6 to 4.7 ft |
| Wingspan | 37 to 59 inches |
| Weight | 5.5 to 7.7 lb |
| Life Span | Up to 50 years in captivity |
| Conservation Status | Varies |
| Classification | Aves > Phoenicopteridae |
| Habitat | In and around Lakes |
Learning Point
- Flamingos are a group of pink wading birds that live in Africa, Europe and parts of the Americas. They are pink because of the bacteria in the water and the food they eat, so sometimes in captivity they are a lighter color of pink. They are good flyers, able to stand a long time on one leg and love to be in big groups.
Project
- Draw a picture of a flock of flamingos.
- Overview
- X-Ray
- Flock
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Location
| Places | Central and South America, Africa, Europe, Asia |
Fun Facts
- A group of flamingos is called a “flamboyance“.
- The name flamingo comes from Portuguese or Spanish flamengo meaning “flame-colored“.
- Flamingos can open their bills by raising the upper jaw as well as by dropping the lower.
- When flamingos walk, they appear to bend their legs backwards, but that is because they aren’t bending their knee, but their ankle.
- They have webbed feet, and sometimes stomp the mud to stir up food.
Past Lessons
| 126 | May 15, 2024 | (North America) |