The flamingos eye is LARGER than its brain!

Flamingos are found in Africa, Asia, North America, Central America, South America, and Europe. They can live in hot volcanic lakes and in icy lakes in the Andean mountains. They live an average of 20 to 30 years in the wild. Colonies of Flamingos in the wild can be up to 20,000 in number. Many of them are small though with only about 50 in them. The largest group of Flamingos is found in East Africa where a single colony has more than 1 million members.
Shrimplike crustaceans are responsible for the flamingo's pink color. The birds will turn pale in captivity unless their diet is supplemented.
Flamingos often rest on one leg when they are in shallow water. This greatly reduces the amount of body heat lost to the cool water. Sometimes, they also sit down on land, especially during the hatching period, to keep their eggs warm. Both the female and the male flamingo take turns sitting on the egg to keep it warm.

When chicks are a few weeks old, parents leave them in a crèche and go in search of food, taking turns coming back day and night to feed them. Though watched by a few adults, the young are vulnerable to predators such as dogs and jaguars.


Fun Fact: There are more plastic flamingos in the USA than actual real ones!

For more information on Flamingos, watch Disney's Crimson Wing.