Schleich Wild Life Flamingo

Flamingos have striking reddish-to-pink coloured feathers. Their long legs, curved neck, and the kink in their thick beaks are also unmistakable features.

The Chilean flamingo has vivid red bands on its legs.

The flamingos owe their beautiful colour to plankton-like algae and small crustaceans. They contain certain dyes, which turn the feathers of the birds pink. The more they eat, the stronger the colour becomes. The less they eat, the whiter the flamingos are. Babies and young animals are also white-grey instead of pink to start with. Scientists are still puzzled as to why flamingos often stand on one leg. It is believed they draw up a leg to conserve body heat and save energy.