Flamingos are wading birds found in both the Eastern and Western hemispheres. Known for their long skinny legs, large beaks and vibrant pink plumage, flamingos get their unique coloring from eating shrimp and other foods rich in carotenoids.

Causes

Flamingos subsist on brine shrimp, blue-green algae, insects, larvae, mollusks and crustaceans. The brine shrimp and algae, in particular, are packed with carotenoids, which are organic pigments that give many fruits and vegetables their red and orange coloring. Eating a steady diet of these carotenoids turns the flamingo's feathers pink.

Types

The flamingo's diet contains both alpha-carotene and beta-carotene. Canthaxanthin, the carotenoid found in algae, is essential to the flamingo's pink coloring.

Effects

If flamingos don't get enough food with the necessary carotenoids, their feathers will fade and turn white.

Function

Without its long beak, the flamingo wouldn't be able to gather enough food to create its unique pink coloring. The flamingo submerges its head to fill its beak with water and then employs its tongue to force the water through tiny finger-like projections inside the beak. These projections, called lamellae, collect the shrimp and other food particles.

Fun Fact

Zookeepers often feed flamingos carrots, red peppers and dried shrimp to provide them with enough carotenoids to keep their feathers pink. Synthetic canthaxanthin may also be added to the feed to ensure proper coloring.

Source

The Straight Dope

Bird Watcher's General Store

TheWildOnes.org