Science Behind the Colors Flamingos

This ​ (a)   was about how ​ (b)   get their pink ​ (c)   , as well as how they live and ​ (d)   in their flocks.​

• book
• flamingos
• feathers
• behave

Answer explanation

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Choose the 3 facts stated in the text.

• Flamingos have bright pink feathers.

• Flamingos are fantastic!

• Flamingos sleep standing on one leg.

• Flamingos are fantastic fliers!

Answer explanation

Flamingos travel at approximately 35 miles per hour (mph) over short distances, but they can fly upwards of 40 mph during long-distance flights with supportive winds. When flamingos fly, they hold their legs and necks out, often with their bills tipped upwards.

Which continents can you find flamingos?

b

c

d

e

a

Europe

North America

Africa

South America

Asia

Choose the two continents in which Flamingos do not live.

• 
• 
• 
• 

Answer explanation

Notice the pattern of population???

Flamingos primarily live where water and warm temperatures are plentiful.

Which 2 continents can you NOT find flamingos living in the wild?

a

b

Austrialia

Antactica

Answer explanation

The youngest Australian fossil flamingo is Pleistocene in age. Flamingos most likely became extinct in Australia as increasing aridity(dryness)caused permanent inland waterways to disappear.

Flamingos live in groups called

• pods

• broods

• flocks

• packs

Answer explanation

The soda lakes of East Africa play host to a permanent population of at least 1.5–2.5 million flamingos with the majority of these located in northern Tanzania.

What is your favorite flamingo fact?

• Flamingo flocks do just about everything together.

• They sleep at the same time.

• They have perfect balance and can sleep on one leg.

• Their long neck muscles need rest, so they tuck their heads on their bodies.

Answer explanation

How does the trait of webbing, between flamingo toes, help them?

• Webbing allows them to be the fastest swimmers of all birds.

• Webbing allows them to "run" over water and gain speed.

• Webbing helps them not sink in quicksand.

• Webbing supports those long toes.

Answer explanation

Complete the diagram of the flamingo.

a

b

c

d

Webbed Feet

Leg

Bill

Neck

Answer explanation

Don't let your eyes deceive you — a flamingo's knees don't bend backward! Flamingo legs actually bend just like human legs. What looks like a flamingo's knee is really its ankle joint. A flamingo's knees are located higher up the legs, hidden by the body and feathers.

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Why do flamingo flocks live in large, shallow lakes or lagoons?

• They don't enjoy swimming in deep water.

• Their legs aren't long enough for deeper water.

• Flamingos are afraid of the deep water.

• Their favorite food, brine shrimp, live in these warm, salty waters.

Answer explanation

These little guys are happiest living free and in the wild where there is warm salt water.

Shallow water is key to warmer temperatures. The deeper you travel out, the colder the water becomes.

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