American Flamingo – The Animal Facts – Appearance, Habitat, Behavior

Appearance

Like all flamingoes the American flamingo is notable for its bright pink plumage. These cover most of their body but the tips of the wings are black. They are considered the brightest of the flamingoes and their color may be red, pink or orange.

This color comes from pigment in the food which they eat such as algae and shrimp.

They have long, slender legs and a flexible, curved neck which ends with the relatively small head. The legs end with a foot with three webbed toes with the fourth toe being small or missing. These legs are colored pink.

Their bill features a curve and has a black tip with a pink/orange mid-section and a yellow base. The upper bill is often lighter in color.

Males tend to be larger than females. On average an American flamingo will stand between 120 and 145cm (47-57in) tall. Males weigh 2.8kg (6.1lbs) on average while females weigh 2.2.kg (4.8lbs). They have a wingspan of between 37 and 42.5cm (14.6-16.7in) across.

Diet

Greater flamingoes are omnivores. They feed on organic ooze, worms, nematodes, mollusks, crustaceans, insects, larvae and small fish.

The crustaceans in their diet are responsible for the bright pink color.

Food is filtered from the water using their downward sweeping bill. This is swept from side to side to collect food and water in it. The filter which helps them to feed also prevent them consuming too much salt which would be toxic.