Flamingo

American Flamingo
MFA# 1990.240

Description

A tall, bright pink-color wading bird of the family Phoenicopteridae. The American flamingo (Phoenicopetrus ruber) is native to the Atlantic and Gulf coast regions while the greater flamingo (Phoenicopterus ruber roseus) is native to Africa, southern Europe, and southern Asia. Their flamboyant feathers are often used for decoration. The pink coloring is caused by carotene naturally obtained from a diet rich in shrimp and blue-green algae.

Synonyms and Related Terms

American flamingo (Phoenicopetrus ruber); greater flamingo (Phoenicopterus ruber roseus)

Images

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  Flamingos Phoenicopterus ruber

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  Flamingo

Resources and Citations

• The American Heritage Dictionary or Encarta, via Microsoft Bookshelf 98, Microsoft Corp., 1998

• Encyclopedia Britannica, http://www.britannica.com Comment: "flamingo." Accessed 2 Jan. 2005 .