Flamingo
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Flamingos or flamingoes are a type of wading bird in the family Phoenicopteridae, the only bird family in the order Phoenicopteriformes.
Flamingo mit Sonnenbrand. Die Rosafärbung des Gefieders ist auf die Aufnahme von Carotinoiden mit der Nahrung zurückzuführen. Diese sind vor allem in planktonischen Algen enthalten. Der Flamingo-Organismus kann diese Carotinoide mit Hilfe von Enzymen in der Leber umwandeln; dabei entstehen mehrere Pigmente, vor allem Canthaxanthin, das in Haut und Federn ausgewachsener Flamingos eingelagert wird.
Phoenicopterus rube, is a large species of flamingo closely related to the greater flamingo and Chilean flamingo. It is the only flamingo that naturally inhabits North America.
Flamingos are pink because the algae they consume are loaded with beta carotene (an organic chemical that contains a reddish-orange pigment ).
If a flamingo were to stop eating food containing carotenoids, its new feathers would begin growing in with a much paler shade, and its reddish feathers would eventually molt away.
Flamingo preening.
Flamingos or flamingoes are a type of wading bird in the family Phoenicopteridae, which is the only bird family in the order Phoenicopteriformes. There are four flamingo species distributed throughout the Americas (including the Caribbean), and two species native to Africa, Asia, and Europe.
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Every year, flamingos overwinter in the Grevelingenmeer in the Netherlands. During the summer, the flamingos reside in the Zwillbrocker Venn, a lake just across the border in Germany, where they lay their eggs and breed. The lake consists of fresh water, which freezes in winter. Therefore, these colorful birds migrate to the salty Grevelingenmeer from October onwards.
With their pink and crimson plumage, long legs and necks, and strongly hooked bills, flamingos cannot be mistaken for any other type of bird. These beauties have long fascinated people. An accurate cave painting of a flamingo, found in the south of Spain, dates back to 5,000 B.C.
The flamingo’s pink or reddish color comes from the rich sources of carotenoid pigments in the algae and small crustaceans the birds eat. Caribbean flamingos, a subspecies of greater flamingo, are the brightest, showing their true colors of red, pink, or orange on their legs, bills, and faces.
Flamingos live in lagoons or large, shallow lakes. These bodies of water may be quite salty or caustic, too much so for most other animals. In some lakes, their only animal “neighbors” are algae, diatoms, and small crustaceans. That works in the flamingo’s favor, as the birds dine on these small creatures!
Chilean, Andean, and puna flamingos are found in South America; greater and lesser flamingos live in Africa, with greaters also found in the Middle East; the Caribbean subspecies is native to Mexico, the Caribbean, and the northernmost tip of South America.
-San Diego Zoo
Probably my favorite photo from Homossasa this trip. There were over a dozen flamingos standing around, but these three had composed themselves so well.
I always need a good hefty dose of bright colors in winter to lift my spirits. Especially important on gray rainy days.
Flamingos are a healthy antidote!
Zoom in if you REALLY want to see close-up details :))
"Houdini" and "Mango", Flamingos.
The Victoria Butterfly Gardens is located in the Greater Victoria region of Brentwood Bay and is one of the most popular tourist sites in the Victoria area. The Victoria Butterfly Gardens is known for having different species of butterflies and moths in their indoor facility, as well as birds, fishes, frogs, a chameleon, geckoes and tortoises.