Flamingos

Flamingos are a unique family of wading birds found in both the Americas and Afro-Eurasia, consisting of six different species. Known for their vibrant pink to red plumage, which they get from their diet rich in carotenoids, they are social creatures that live in large colonies characterized by complex breeding displays and behaviors. Flamingos are adapted to filter-feeding on small aquatic prey with their specialized bills that they use upside-down. They're excellent fliers, though captive flamingos often have their wings clipped to prevent escape, and they're known to stand on one leg, possibly to conserve body heat or reduce energy expenditure. Flamingos establish strong pair bonds and both parents contribute to nest building and feeding their young with nutrient-rich crop milk. Their conservation status varies with some species being kept successfully in captivity, where breeding is sometimes assisted by the use of mirrors to simulate a larger flock. Humans have interacted with flamingos throughout history, from the Moche people who venerated them in art, to Roman gourmands who prized their tongues as a delicacy, and in modern times, as whimsical lawn decorations in the United States.