American Flamingo

Overview
American Flamingo: Tall, unique wading bird, entirely pink except for black-tipped bill that is bent at a curious angle. Feeds on algal material, bacteria diatoms, plankton, small fish and brine fly larvae. Direct flight with rapid wing beats. Flies in straight line formation. Formerly known as Greater Flamingo.

Range and Habitat
American Flamingo: Distribution centered around the Caribbean with stragglers showing up in Florida, Texas, northern South America, Yucatan, and the Galapagos Islands. North American sightings may be wild individuals or escaped captives.

The American Flamingo is located through the largest region of any other species in the flamingo family. This species may be found in Africa, south Asia and southern Europe. Specific breeding grounds include the coasts of Pakistan and India, Spain, Sardinia, Albania, Turkey, Greece, Cyprus, Portugal and France. Northern populations will migrate short distances southward in winter months. Their pink coloring is due to their diet rich in shrimp. This species builds a nest out of mud, and lays a single egg. The oldest known Greater Flamingo is located in Australia, and is at least 75 years old. Conservation rating status of this species is Least Concern.

INTERESTING FACTS
The American Flamingo is the most widespread species of the flamingo family. It is the state bird of Gujarat, India. At the beginning of the nesting season, they perform mass courtship displays, where hundreds move together in a coordinated walk. In ancient Rome, flamingo tongues were regarded as a delicacy. As recently as 30 years ago, flamingos and their eggs were eaten by people in parts of southern Europe and the Caribbean. A group of flamingos has many collective nouns, including a "colony", "flamboyance", "flurry", "regiment", and "stand" of flamingos.