Term
| Which species of Flamingo are represented in the park? |
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Definition
| Chilean and Carribean Falmingos are represented in the park. |
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Term
| Where are Chilean Flamingos generally found in the wild? |
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Definition
| Chilean Flamingos are found in South American from Chile to Argentina. |
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Term
| Describe the typical Flamingo habitat. |
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Definition
| Large alkaline or saline lakes or estuarine lagoons that usually lack vegetation. They can also inhabit mangrove swamps, tidal flats, and sandy islands in the intertidal zone. |
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Term
| Why are Chilean flamingos more likely to be found in lakes with an absence of fish? |
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Definition
| Chilean Flamingos are found where there are no fish so there is no competition for food. |
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Term
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Definition
| The Flamingos' pink color is derived from the carotenoid pigments found in their food. |
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Term
| What color are Flamingo Chicks? |
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Definition
| Newly hatched Flamingo chicks are gray or white in color. |
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Term
| Where is the Flamingo's ankle? |
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Definition
| The Flamingo's ankle is located about halfway up the leg. |
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Term
| Where is the Flamingo's knee? |
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Definition
| The Flamingo's knee is located close to the body and is not externally visible. |
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Term
| Describe a Flamingo's bill. |
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Definition
| A flamingo's bill is black, pinkish or cream colored. The upper and lower bill are angled downward below the nostril. The Flamingo's lower mandible is large and trough or keel shaped with the upper mandible being flat and thin to act much like a lid for the lower mandible. |
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Term
| How is a Flamingo's bill adapted for filter feeding? |
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Definition
| Tooth like ridges on the outside of the bill help filter food from water. Both the upper and lower mandible have lamellae, two rows of bristled comb like or hair like structures that mesh when the mandibles come together. |
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Term
| Why do Flamingo's stand on one leg? |
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Definition
| Flamingos stand on one leg to keep the foot warm and to conserve body heat. |
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Term
| Explain the Flamingo's "head-flag" display. |
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Definition
| The Flamingo's "head-flag" display involves stretching the neck and head up as high as possible, with the bill pointing upwards, and then rhythmically turning the head from one side to the other. |
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Term
| Why do Flamingos use displays? |
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Definition
| Flamingos use displays as a form of communication. Several hundred to thousands of flamingos are all involved simultaneously with ritualized postures and movements to synchronize breeding. |
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Term
| Explain the Flamingo's "wing-salute" display. |
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Definition
| The Flamingo's "wing-salute" display is performed by spreading the wings for a few seconds showing their striking contrasted colors, while the tail is cocked and neck outstretched. |
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Term
| Explain the Flamingo's "Twist-preen" display. |
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Definition
| The Flamingo's "twist-preen" display entails the bird twisting its neck back and appearing to preen quickly with its bill behind a partly open wing. |
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Term
| Describe a Flamingo's nest. |
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Definition
| Flamingos build nest mounds made of mud, small stones, straw and feathers. These mounds can be as high as 12 in. Using their bills, both male and female bring mud and other objects toward their feet. A shallow well is formed on the top where the egg is laid. Mounds serve as protection against extreme heat and flooding that occurs at ground level. |
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Term
| Are any species of Flamingo listed as endangered? |
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Definition
| There are no Flamingo species listed as endangered. |
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