The American flamingo is a large wading bird with long legs and a distinctive curved bill.
Its plumage is pinkish to reddish-orange, with black primary and secondary flight feathers that are visible when it flies.
Adults typically stand between 3.9 and 4.7 feet tall and weigh between 4.5 and 8.8 pounds.
The neck is long and S-shaped, and the legs are thin and elongated.
Known Range:
Found in various coastal regions of the Caribbean, Central and South America, including the Galápagos Islands.
Breeding populations are primarily located in the Caribbean and the Yucatán Peninsula.
Diet:
American flamingos are filter feeders, using their uniquely shaped bills to filter small aquatic invertebrates, algae, and crustaceans from shallow water.
Their diet includes shrimp, mollusks, aquatic insects, and various types of algae.
Breeding:
Breeding typically occurs in large colonies, often in saltwater lagoons or mudflats.
Nests are constructed from mud and built in shallow water to protect them from predators.
Both parents take turns incubating the single egg, which hatches after about 28 to 32 days.
Lifecycle:
American flamingos reach sexual maturity between 3 and 6 years of age.
They have a relatively long lifespan, with individuals in captivity living up to 40 years or more.
Juvenile flamingos are gray or white in color and gradually develop their characteristic pink plumage as they age.
