American Flamingo....National Aviary, Pittsburgh Pa
I'm not a huge advocate of shooting "captured" birds, but I put this thought aside when I visited the National Aviary in Pittsburgh, Pa. This wonderful man-made habitat has over 500 birds with 150 different species. I saw birds that I've only been able to see on my Flickr friends site(s). A must place to visit if your passion is bird photography. This set represents only a sample of the birds I saw on my visit...more to come in the future...hope you don't get tired of my posting these wonderful birds !
American flamingos are unmistakable birds with a curiously shaped bill, slender necks and long, delicate looking legs. Their brilliant feathers range from a pale pink to scarlet red, with bright pink being the most common. Although they may appear strange, each feature on the flamingo serves an important function. Their long legs and necks allow the birds to wade and forage in water several feet deep. Their oddly shaped bill is perfectly suited to strain plankton and other small invertebrates from the water. The microscopic shrimp and algae in their diet is also the source of their iconic pink color – the pigment is deposited in their feathers as they grow and the brightness of the color indicates how well the flamingo was eating as the feathers were growing. This may be a sign to other flamingos of an individual’s fitness.
Source: The National Aviary
www.aviary.org/animals/American-Flamingo
The National Aviary
The National Aviary, located in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, is the only independent indoor nonprofit aviary in the United States. It is also the country's largest aviary, and the only accorded honorary "National" status by the United States Congress. The aviary is home to over 500 birds representing more than 150 species, and is a member of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA).
American Flamingo....National Aviary, Pittsburgh Pa
I'm not a huge advocate of shooting "captured" birds, but I put this thought aside when I visited the National Aviary in Pittsburgh, Pa. This wonderful man-made habitat has over 500 birds with 150 different species. I saw birds that I've only been able to see on my Flickr friends site(s). A must place to visit if your passion is bird photography. This set represents only a sample of the birds I saw on my visit...more to come in the future...hope you don't get tired of my posting these wonderful birds !
American flamingos are unmistakable birds with a curiously shaped bill, slender necks and long, delicate looking legs. Their brilliant feathers range from a pale pink to scarlet red, with bright pink being the most common. Although they may appear strange, each feature on the flamingo serves an important function. Their long legs and necks allow the birds to wade and forage in water several feet deep. Their oddly shaped bill is perfectly suited to strain plankton and other small invertebrates from the water. The microscopic shrimp and algae in their diet is also the source of their iconic pink color – the pigment is deposited in their feathers as they grow and the brightness of the color indicates how well the flamingo was eating as the feathers were growing. This may be a sign to other flamingos of an individual’s fitness.
Source: The National Aviary
www.aviary.org/animals/American-Flamingo
The National Aviary
The National Aviary, located in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, is the only independent indoor nonprofit aviary in the United States. It is also the country's largest aviary, and the only accorded honorary "National" status by the United States Congress. The aviary is home to over 500 birds representing more than 150 species, and is a member of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA).