*What is Flamingo ?*
Flamingos are all members of the Phoenicopteridae bird family and they are the only birds that belong to that family.
*Characteristics*
• Flamingos usually stand on one leg while the other is tucked beneath their body. The reason for this behaviour is not fully understood.
• The greater flamingo is the tallest flamingo standing at 3.9 to 4.7 feet with a weight up to 3.5 kg and the shortest flamingo species (the lesser) has a height of 2.6 feet and weighs up to 2.5 kg.
• Flamingos can have a wingspan as small as 37 inches and as big as 59 inches.
• The tropical wading birds have long legs with backward-bending knees, long curvy necks, and they are pink in colour. The color pink comes from beta-carotene in the crustaceans and plankton that flamingos eat.
*Species*
• Greater Flamingo (Phoenicopterus roseus)
• American Flamingo (Phoenicopterus ruber)
• Chilean Flamingo (Phoenicopterus chilensis)
• Andean Flamingo (Phoenicoparrus andinus)
• Puna Flamingo (Phoenicoparrus jamesi)
• Lesser Flamingo (Phoeniconaias minor)
*Taxonomy*
- Kingdom:- animalia
- Family:- poenicopteridae
- Phylum:- chordata
- Class:- aves (birds)
- Order:- poenicopteriformes
- Genre:- poenicoterus