Origin
Flamingos (genus Phoenicopterus) are birds that belong to the genus Phoenicopterus and the family Phoenicopteridae. Six species of flamingos are currently known, all belonging to a single genus.
The first flamingo to breed in captivity was a Chilean flamingo at Basel Zoo. Since then more than 389 flamingos have been bred and distributed to other zoos around the world.
In Ancient Rome, flamingo tongues were considered a delicacy. Miners also hunted flamingos for their fat, which was considered a cure for tuberculosis.
The ancient Egyptians believed that flamingos were the living representation of the god Ra.
Feeding Pink Flamingos
They stand with long legs in shallow water. It sticks its beak into the water and basically sweeps with, namely, its head from side to side water in search of food.
Green-blue and red algae, larvae, insects, crustaceans, mollusks and small fish make up the main diet of flamingos.
The pinkish and reddish color comes from Alpha and beta carotenoids. The richest sources of carotenoids are found in algae and various invertebrates that make up the bulk of the diet.
Features Pink Flamingos
Flamingos stand for a long time on one leg, the other raised stand glued to the body. The reason is not fully understood, some suggest that the flamingo, like other animals, has the ability to hold half of the body in a state of sleepiness, and when this is rested the bird leans on the other leg to rest the other half of the body.
This is not yet proven. Recent research has indicated that the bird keeps a leg attached to its body to conserve body heat due to the fact that it spends a lot of time in cold water looking for food.
Flamingo chicks are born with gray plumage, but the color of adults varies from light pink to bright red due to watery bacteria and beta-carotene obtained by feeding.
A healthy flamingo has a vivid color, while a sick specimen will have a white color faded. Their cuidata-shaped beaks are specially adapted for seeping mud and alluvial food.
Breeding Pink Flamingos
This bird reaches sexual maturity a few years after hatching and usually begins to mate at the age of 6 years.
Flamingo colonies mate at different times of the year depending on the breed. Mating within the colony takes place in the same period for the chicks to hatch in as short a period as possible.
Males resort to rituals when they begin courtship. They keep their beaks to the sky and their necks stretched out bragging.
Once chosen, the mates have a strong and faithful relationship, however exceptions have been observed where some couples mate with more than one partner.
The nest is built of Earth, small stones, straw and feathers. It can reach up to 30cm in size; it protects against heat and floods. Both partners participate in the erection of the nest.
The Flamingo feeds its young with milk produced by the action of a hormone called prolactin, like pigeons and gugustuci.
It contains more fat and less protein and is produced by glands along the digestive tract.
Both parents take care of young puppies that are fed this milk that contains white and red blood cells. After about two months after birth they begin to feed on their own.
