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More About Flamingos ...
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Flamingos (genus Phoenicopterus monotypic in family Phoenicopteridae) are gregarious wading birds, usually 3-5 feet in height, found in both the western and eastern hemispheres. They are more numerous in the latter, but there are four species in the Americas against two in the Old World. Flamingos live in large flocks in aquatic areas.
The larger species breed and feed in saline or brackish habitats. Nests are made of compacted mud and are in the form of a mound with a concave top, into which the single white egg is laid.
Flamingos filter-feed on shellfish and algae. Their oddly-shaped beaks are specially adapted to separate mud and silt from the food they consume, and are uniquely used upside-down. The filtering of food items is assisted by hairy structures called lamellae which line the mandibles, and the large rough-surfaced tongue.
The young hatch with white plumage, but the feathers of a flamingo in adulthood range from light pink to bright red, due to carotenoids obtained from their food supply. All flamingos have 12 black flight feathers in each wing.
Flamingos produce a ?milk? like pigeon milk (see Columbidae). It contains more fat and less protein than the latter does, and it is produced in glands lining the whole of the upper digestive tract, not just the crop. Young flamingos feed on this milk for about two months until their bills are developed enough to filter feed. The milk also contains red and white blood cells.
Colorful Courtship Ceremonies
When the morning sun rises over the jade-green waters of the lake, it is as if a giant curtain were lifted. The golden light reveals a vast flock of flamingos glowing like flames of fire on the lake surface. The birds are packed in tightly. With their necks extended upright, the displaying birds march in groups, tossing their beaks from side to side.
As platoons of birds march past one another in opposite directions, the sun reflects on the birds' delicate feathers, forming a mosaic of contrasting shades of scarlet and pink. The birds bob and dance, spreading their wings wide to reveal the deep red of their wing feathers. Flaunting their vibrant colors, they run across the water and take to the air, only to land again and repeat the ritual. The flamingos are so densely packed that individual birds cannot take to flight but must wait until those on the edge of the flock take off first. Honking and babbling with excitement, they produce a clamor that is deafening.
Classification
Flamingos are related to other large wading birds as follows:
Order Ciconiiformes
Family Cochlearidae, (Boatbill)
Family Balaenicipitidae, (Shoebill)
Family Scopidae, (Hammerkop)
Family Ciconiidae, (storks)
Family Threskiornithidae, (ibises and spoonbills)
Family Phoenicopteridae (sometimes classed as an order Phoenicopteriformes.)
Greater Flamingo (Phoenicopterus roseus), Africa, southern Asia and southern Europe.
Lesser Flamingo (Phoenicopterus minor), mainly in southern Africa, but the most numerous species.
James's Flamingo (Phoenicopterus jamesi) northern Andes
Andean Flamingo (Phoenicopterus andinus), southern Andes
Chilean Flamingo (Phoenicopterus chilensis), most widespread South American flamingo.
Caribbean Flamingo (Phoenicopterus ruber), until recently considered a subspecies of Greater Flamingo. It breeds in the Caribbean and once inhabited Florida,
Family Ardeidae, (herons, egrets, and bitterns)
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Taxonmony
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Phylum: Chordata
Class: Aves
Order: Ciconiiformes
Family: Phoenicopteridae
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Source: Wikipedia Read more about Flamingos
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VIDEO CLIPS
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Lesser Flamingo
0.620MB MPG View Movie
theBigZoo.com
Watch how the beak is turned upside down while feeding. Lesser Flamingo Eating. " They feed by touch, unlike most birds that use eyesight. Storks and spoonbills will hold their open bill in the water until they feel their prey touch the inside of their bill".
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Flamingo
0.000MB MOV View Movie
Getty Images
flock of flamingos walking at Lake Nakuru / Kenya
If you don't see the relevant video below, please follow this link and search for 680-95 in the search screen.
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Flamingo
0.000MB MOV View Movie
Getty Images
Stand of flamingos standing + looking around in shallow water
If you don't see the relevant video below, please follow this link and search for 582-92 in the search screen.
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Flamingo
0.000MB MOV View Movie
Getty Images
Flamingos flying over the ocean
If you don't see the relevant video below, please follow this link and search for 421-84 in the search screen.
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Flamingo
0.000MB GIF View Movie
Oakland Zoo
Flamingo- turning their necks around - short clip
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Flamingo
1.280MB MOV View Movie
ShowPoppers - Stock Footage
Flamingos, Pan Left
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Flamingo
MOV View Movie
OceanFootage.com
Flock Of Flamingo
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Flamingo
MOV View Movie
OceanFootage.com
Pink Flamingo Cleaning
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Flamingo
MOV View Movie
OceanFootage.com
Pink Flamingo
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Greater Flamingo
WMV View Movie
Internet Bird Collection
An adult filtering water for feeding in slow motion. Delta de lŽEbre, Catalonia, Spain (ssp roseus).
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Greater Flamingo
WMV View Movie
Internet Bird Collection
Two birds fighting and walking. Delta de lŽEbre, Catalonia, Spain (ssp roseus).
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Flamingo
6.450MB MPG View Movie
Klub Afriko Safaris
Flamingos in the lake
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Flamingo
0.780MB MOV View Movie
Creatas
Flamingos flying over water
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Flamingo
1.670MB MOV View Movie
DVArchive
Flamingo bird sleeping, opens one eye, Florida
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Greater Flamingo
View Movie
National Geographic
Flamingos of Bogoria
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Flamingo
View Movie
WorldClips Stock Footage
Flamingos
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