Chilean Flamingo
Nutrition: algae, small aquatic invertebrates, mainly crayfish, molluscs
Reproduction: usually one egg, incubation time: 28-30 days
Did you know? The bright red colour of flamingo plumage comes from the carotenoic pigments of algae (this is a carotene-like substance) which comes into their body indirectly or directly with food. They are longevous, some bird in captivity lived for 60 years. Flamingos are quite an ancient bird group: it was present in the history of Earth 10 million years ago, back in the Miocene era. They eat at day and at night as well. Their eating method is very peculiar, their beak is held upside down in the water while working with their tongue as a piston, They suck water and sludge in their beak then They press it three to four times per second through the comb plate system of the beak''s edge to filter out the water.
Watch it! The body of flamingos is not too big; it has small head, long neck and long legs. You cannot mistake them due to their pink plumage with deep black spoon. Their legs, face and beak are brightly coloured, They are either red, pink, orange or yellow.
Habitat: Shallow salty and alkaline lagoons
Spread: Tropical areas of South America, Peru, Uruguay