Flamingos are tall, brightly colored birds and can be found both in tropical
and subtropical areas. Flamingo has webbed feet, a slender body, long legs,
a long and thin neck, large wings, and a short tail. It is usually a bright
reddish orange color due to bacteria present in water. The under parts are shaded
rose and pale pink. It stands between 3 feet and 5 feet (1.5 meters) tall.
The male are usually larger than the females, thus they can be 57 inches long
and weigh about 6 to 8 pounds. Flamingos are generally non-migratory birds.
However, due to changes in the climate and water levels in their breeding areas,
flamingo colonies are not always permanent. The coloring of the feathers depends
on the food the birds eat. They live up to a maximum lifespan of fifteen to
twenty years.
Their nests are made up of mud, stones, leaves, feathers and sticks. These
birds leave their nests after five years and form their own groups. They are
sometimes called firebirds because many species prefer to frequent hot, volcanic,
mud flats. Flamingos have webbed feet which help to support them on soft mud.
They can swim. Their style is much the same as that of a duck or swan. Flamingos
are being killed for their fat, believed to be a cure for tuberculosis.
