Phoenicopterus ruber

303_9697 [Phoenicopterus ruber]

 

Flamingos:

This extraordinary, easily recognizable bird needs no introduction

but it’s good to remind that its family includes

very few species scattered worldwide,

of which only the Greater Flamingo (above) appears in Europe.

 

Being a migratory bird, it often visits Greece,

especially the island of Lefkada during the autumn and winter months.

It gets 1.20 - 1.50m in height, with a wingspan of 1.40 - 1.65m

and lives about 30 years!

Flying speed? A flock can reach 60km/h

and cover a distance of 600km in a night!

 

That said, I am tempted to confess

that I was ashamed not to know where they get that characteristic pink/reddish color,

until I found they get it through carotenoid pigments in their food.

That was a frightening discovery!

Do I run the danger of getting a pink face, I wonder,

if I keep eating carrots??? 

🤣

 

The picture was taken in Attica Zoological Park.

 

Clicking on the picture you can see it in higher resolution.