Exploring Nature: Flamingos

The flamingo is a most stately and dignified bird. All pretty in pink, it has long, skinny legs that have been described as looking like two toothpicks sticking out of a ripe cherry.

Flamingos would have long since been slaughtered out of existence for their pretty pink plumes except for the fact that their beautiful feathers fade to white soon after they are plucked. Even live birds lose their pink coloration unless their diet contains plenty of crab shells and shrimp.

These crustaceans are responsible for the pink coloration of the bird’s feathers.