Municipality of Tourist Interest
Animals of the Brazilian Fauna
Flamingo
Nome Científico
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Nome Científico
Phoenicopterus ruber
Características
Flamingos are large, slender birds with long, thin legs and vibrant pink plumage. They can measure between 1 and 1.5 meters in height. Their beak is characteristically curved and adapted for filtering small food items from the water.
Ocorrência
Flamingos are found in tropical and subtropical regions around the world, including parts of South America, Africa, Asia, and the Caribbean. They inhabit saltwater lagoons, estuaries, and alkaline lakes.
Comportamento
These are social birds that live in large flocks, sometimes numbering in the thousands. They spend most of their time feeding in shallow water and are known for their group courtship displays, which include synchronized head and wing movements.
Alimentação
The diet of flamingos consists of algae, small crustaceans, mollusks, and other aquatic invertebrates. The pink color of their plumage comes from carotenoids present in their food.
Reprodução
Flamingos build nests in mud mounds, where the female lays a single egg, which incubates for an average of 27 to 31 days. Both parents participate in incubation and caring for the chick. The chicks are fed a nutritious secretion produced by the parents, similar to milk.
Preservação
Although many flamingo populations are stable, some are threatened due to habitat loss and pollution. Protection of wetlands and control of hunting are important measures for their conservation.
Curiosidades
Flamingos can live up to 30 years in the wild and more than 50 years in captivity.
They spend several hours a day cleaning their feathers to ensure waterproofing and protection against infections.