Characteristics and Description
pink coloration:
pink coloration:
- shades vary amoung species ( eather coloration is derived from carotenoid
pigments found in a flamingo's food) - Male and female flamingo coloration is the same.
- Newly-hatched chicks are gray or white
- Juveniles are grayish, taking approximately one to two years to obtain full adult coloration.
- Parents may lose some of their pink coloration while raising young.
- Coloration of a flamingo's legs and feet varies according to species - from yellow to orange or pink-(The Andean flamingo is the only species that has yellow legs and feet.
Legs:
Wings:
Symmetry: Flamingos have bilateral symmetry
Feathers:
Eyes:
Nostril:
- The legs of adult flamingos are longer than the flamingo's body, measuring
between 80 to 125 cm (31.5-49 in.), depending on the species. - The ankle is located about halfway up the leg.
- The knee is located close to the body and is not externally visible.
- Webbing between the toes aids the bird in swimming and stirring up food.
- Coloration of the feet and legs is the same.
Wings:
- The wingspan of flamingos ranges from 95 to 100 cm (37-39 in.) on smaller flamingos to 140 to 165 cm (55-65 in.) on bigger flamingos.
- There are 12 principal flight feathers located on each wing. These black feathers are visible when the wings are extended.
- The neck is long and sinuous. A flamingo has 19 elongated cervical (neck) vertebrae allowing for maximum movement and twisting
- Size (H):100cm - 150cm (39in - 59in)
- Wing Span:100cm - 180cm (59in - 71in)
- Weight:2kg - 4kg (4.4lbs - 8.8lbs)
Symmetry: Flamingos have bilateral symmetry
Feathers:
- There are 12 principal flight feathers located on each wing. These black feathers are visible when the wings are extended.
- Flamingos have 12 to 16 tail feathers.
- Flamingos molt (shed and replace) their wing and body feathers at irregular intervals ranging from twice a year to once every two years. The molt is related to the breeding cycle.
- Molted feathers lose their color.
Eyes:
- The eyes are located on either side of the head.
- Flamingo chicks have gray eyes for approximately the first year of life. Adult flamingos have yellow eyes.
Nostril:
- Flamingos have little or no sense of smell
- the nostrils are located on the bill