American Flamingo

Distributed through a variety of species around the world, the American Flamingo is one of the most identifiable bird species in the world. These pink birds are present in every continent globally, with the exception of Antarctica and Australia. Up to six species of these wading birds have occupied different regions of the world, with all of them being highly dependent on the saline coastlines and brackish wetlands that are crucial to their survival.

About American Flamingos

American Flamingos are the only Flamingos that are present along the Caribbean Sea, the northern coasts of South America, and on the Galapagos Islands. They are unique for a number of reasons. Unlike other flamingo species, these wading birds tend to feed much deeper into the water and forage with their heads entirely submerged. They also tend to build their nests on piles of stones and debris rather than in mud nests in mudflats or islands. Recent years have seen their populations expand into the southern regions of North America as well, with smaller populations inhabiting the Yucatan Peninsula and the southern United States.

Flamingos are cultural icons throughout the world and are visually some of the most popular birds as well. However, the number of differences between each species is often lost to those unfamiliar with birds. Today, we will learn to identify American Flamingos and discuss what makes them unique among this family of pink birds.

● American Flamingo Photos, Color Pattern, Song
● American Flamingo Size, Eating Behavior, Habitat
● American Flamingo Range and Migration, Nesting

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American Flamingo Color Pattern

These birds are known for their bright pink plumes, deriving their names from the Spanish word for “flaming”. Both sexes are similarly colored and display virtually no sexual dimorphism. The only difference between their colors is that females obtain their adult plumes slightly earlier than males. Adults have a pink plumage with black flight feathers that are only visible in flight. They have very pale irises and a much paler pink bill that has a darker pink and black tip. Their legs are a pale pink as well and end with a darker, bright pink at their webbed feet. The vibrancy of their plumes varies from bird to bird, it’s a sign of their overall fitness and health.

Juveniles are gray and brown overall with some pink in their underparts, wings, and tail. Their legs, feet, and bill are also mainly brown but may sometimes be dark gray in color. They typically molt into their adult plumages after three years. Although, there are some late bloomers who may take up to five years to fully molt.

Description and Identification

American Flamingos almost exclusively live alone in the Caribbean Islands and the Galapagos Islands. Adults are unmistakable with their bright pink plumes. Keep your eye out for flashes of vivid pink in coastal regions. They have long and curved necks, and their wings are a paler pink than their tails, necks, and heads. Their bills tipped with black are also another distinctive marker for accurate identification. They can be distinguished from Greater Flamingos and Chilean Flamingos on the basis of their dark pink plumes, as both of the other two species are much paler and lighter pink hues than American Flamingos. Their pink hues are a hot pink that can almost carry a reddish-orange tone under the correct lighting.

American Flamingo Song

The most common call that they give out is a goose-like double honk that sounds like “ka-hank” or “ka-rrak”. The tonal quality of this call has a wide range, it can carry a nasal trumpeting or a hoarse barking. Large feeding flocks also generally maintain a continuous “kucking”, a stream of constant cluck sounds that sound harsh and edged. Since they gather in extremely large groups, these calls can get quite loud. The last call is a conversational call that is a low-pitch “kok-kok-kok” and a nasal “nyaaa”. The contexts of these calls are for communicative interactions with other members of the flocks.

American Flamingo Size

Adult American Flamingos are large birds that are typically up to 4 feet tall. They have a wingspan of approximately 4.9 feet. They are heavy birds that weigh between 74 and 144 ounces. Sexual dimorphism is present in these birds with males being slightly larger and heavier than the females. These birds have long necks and legs, with their necks being the longest in relation to their body size as compared to all other bird species around the world. Their bill is also uniquely adapted for filter-feeding, with the upper mandible moving as opposed to the lower. This feature is unique as it is reversed from all other birds and mammals, and it aids them in feeding when they submerge their heads upside-down.

American Flamingo Behavior

These birds live, mate, and feed in large flocks that can comprise thousands of individual birds. Flocking like this is a defensive mechanism from predators, wherein the case of any danger the entire group is alerted at once. This is a convenient system as the birds are entirely vulnerable to threats when they submerge their heads into the water in order to feed. Such vulnerability and their resultant communal survival have led to some of the most complex social interactions, with highly ritualized displays in mating.

American Flamingos rest their heads on their bodies in order to prevent muscle fatigue as they are extremely long. Straightening the neck to its full length usually sends signals to other members of the flock and is used to attract attention during mating or to intimidate other members of the flock. The side at which flamingos rest their heads sends different signals as well. If they rest their heads on the left side, they will engage in conflicts with other members more frequently. Scientists have proposed that this is a method of achieving social hierarchy within the flock and competing for potential mates. Finding a mate is particularly relevant to these birds as pairs are generally monogamous.

Flamingos are also fiercely territorial over their food when they forage. They do not permit other individuals to come near them when they feed and threaten others by fully extending their necks and ruffling their feathers in order to appear larger. They demonstrate this behavior when protecting their young from threats and during mating rituals to secure females.

American Flamingo Diet

American Flamingos have a relatively varied diet, consisting of both animal and plant matter. The plant matter that they consume mainly consists of seeds of marsh grasses, algae, diatoms, and decaying leaves. Sometimes, they also directly ingest mud to consume organic matter like bacteria. The animal matter that they consume is quite varied as well. It mainly consists of aquatic invertebrates like crustaceans, mollusks, annelids, and insects like water beetles and ants. They also consume the larvae of insects and small fish on occasion. These get their food by submerging their heads and some of their necks in the water.

American Flamingo Habitat

These Flamingos prefer harsh environments like tropical hypersaline estuaries. Their filter feeders greatly benefit from reduced competition and predation, while at the same time enabling them to take advantage of abundant food sources. Their habitats are always located near larger bodies of water like coastal areas, sea inlets, rivers, and open lakes. Although their habitats are almost always coastal, they move inland towards lagoons, brackish marshes, or volcanic lakes. They may also occur at freshwater water bodies but are almost always exclusively at sea level.

Range and Migration

American Flamingos have a very small range. They live throughout the Caribbean and Galapagos Islands, but smaller populations live in regions of Central America, the Yucatan Peninsula of Mexico, and southern states of the United States like Florida. They are not seasonal migrants but may travel in response to food sources. Due to colonies of high numbers, food shortages eventually arise, and flocks undertake short migrations in order to search for other sources. They don’t have an attachment to their breeding locations and often do not return to the previous sites again.

American Flamingo Lifecycle

The courtship between these Flamingos commences through complex affairs that prepare for the breeding seasons. The entire adult colonies simultaneously prepare and begin with selecting a suitable location near the drinking areas. Although most birds reach reproductive maturity after a year, only fully colored birds take part in the breeding ritual. They gather and begin displays of their size by elongating their necks and extending their wings while touching nearby individuals with their beaks and wings. It is usually the males that perform these displays, and this may carry on for months sometimes before the breeding is complete. If a female finds a suitable mate, she moves further away from the main group and the male will follow her as they both continue to make various display positions. Unlike many birds, there are no set breeding seasons for these Flamingos and copulation may take place at any time of the year. Timings are typically set based on the availability of food rather than seasonal changes.

Pairs are generally monogamous but there are cases of males taking on more than one mate. After mating, the pair builds the nest and begins laying eggs. They typically only have one brood and lay a single egg each year, but in rare cases, they may lay two eggs.

Incubation is done by both parents for around 28-32 days, after which the chicks hatch with downy feathers and open eyes. Their specialized beaks do not develop until they are at least 2 weeks old and they are entirely dependent on their parents for food for those initial phases. Chicks are reared by both parents for 2-3 months until they are ready to fly. Parents are able to call and locate their young within the large colonies and sometimes may continue to look after them even after they fledge.

Nesting

Most Flamingos make nests out of the mud. They build a small mound out of mud that is high, circular, and has a depression in the center to make space for the eggs. When available, they add bits of vegetation, twigs, or feathers to soften the center and to provide insulation to the eggs. American Flamingos nest on stone piles and debris as well, selecting them as a foundation rather than mudflats as is characteristic of other birds in the same family. The requirement to find a depression in the center remains the same, but it is interesting to note that they use rocks. This is to maintain more stable nests that stay intact during storms.

Anatomy of an American Flamingo

American Flamingos are large long-necked birds that are a vibrant pink. They have large bills that consist of layers of horned plates that are used to filter out prey from the water. These bills have reversed mandibles, with the upper mandibles moving while the lower one stays intact. They have long legs and broad wings.

Final Thoughts

Flamingos are some of the most identifiable birds to bird enthusiasts and amateurs alike. They are scattered throughout the coasts of the world and have become iconographic and cultural icons across numerous societies. However, the differences between their species often go unnoticed. While all are equally beautiful, each has something unique to offer that might sometimes go unnoticed by the untrained eye.

So, the next time you visit a beach and encounter these magnificently complex birds, try to keep an eye out for their plumes and their movements. You might just observe them engaging in their social interactions and leave with a more holistic understanding of them than before!

Ornithology

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At the Bird Watching Academy & Camp we help kids, youth, and adults get excited and involved in bird watching. We have several monthly subscription boxes that you can subscribe to. Our monthly subscription boxes help kids, youth, and adults learn about birds, bird watching, and bird conservation.

Bird Watching Binoculars for Identifying American Flamingos

The most common types of bird watching binoculars for viewing American Flamingos are 8×21 binoculars and 10×42 binoculars. Bird Watching Academy & Camp sells really nice 8×21 binoculars and 10×42 binoculars. You can view and purchase them here.

American Flamingo Stickers

Stickers are a great way for you to display your love for bird watching and the American Flamingo. We sell a monthly subscription sticker pack. The sticker packs have 12 bird stickers. These sticker packs will help your kids learn new birds every month.

Bird Feeders ForAmerican Flamingos

There are many types of bird feeders. Bird feeders are a great addition to your backyard. Bird feeders will increase the chances of attracting birds drastically. Both kids and adults will have a great time watching birds eat at these bird feeders. There are a wide variety of bird feeders on the market and it is important to find the best fit for you and your backyard.

Bird HousesForAmerican Flamingos

There are many types of bird houses. Building a bird house is always fun but can be frustrating. Getting a bird house for kids to watch birds grow is always fun. If you spend a little extra money on bird houses, it will be well worth every penny and they’ll look great.