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flamingo

 
Dictionary: fla·min·go   (flə-mĭng') pronunciation
n., pl., -gos, or -goes.
  1. Any of several large gregarious wading birds of the family Phoenicopteridae of tropical regions, having reddish or pinkish plumage, long legs, a long flexible neck, and a bill turned downward at the tip.
  2. A moderate reddish orange.

[Portuguese flamengo or Spanish flamenco, both probably from Old Provençal flamenc, from flama, flame, from Latin flamma.]


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Any of five species of tall wading birds constituting the family Phoenicopteridae. The plumage is mainly pink, and the face is bare. Flamingos have webbed feet, a slender body, a long thin neck, large wings, and a short tail. They are about 3 – 5 ft (90 – 150 cm) tall. Flamingos flock by the hundreds (sometimes by the millions) in flight formations and wading groups. They walk the shallows, stirring up organic matter, especially tiny mollusks and crustaceans, which they strain from the muddy water with their sievelike bills. The various species are found along Atlantic and Gulf coasts of tropical and subtropical North America and in South America, Africa, southern Europe, Asia, Madagascar, and India.

For more information on flamingo, visit Britannica.com.

Animal Classification: Phoenicopteriformes
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Flamingos

(Phoenicopteridae)

Class: Aves

Order: Phoenicopteriformes

Family: Phoenicopteridae

Number of families: 1

Thumbnail description
Large, very long-legged and long-necked waterbirds with specialized down-curved, filter-feeding bills, and pink, black, and white plumage

Size
31.5–63 in (80–160 cm); 5.5–7.7 lb (2.5–3.5 kg)

Number of genera, species
3 genera; 5 species

Habitat
Shallow saline, brackish, and alkaline waters

Conservation status
Near Threatened: 2 species

Distribution
South America including Galápagos, the Caribbean, Africa, southern Europe, southwest Asia, the Middle East, Indian subcontinent

Resources

Books:

Cramp, S., and K.E.L. Simmons, eds. Vol. 1 of The Birds of the Western Palearctic. New York: Oxford University Press, 1977. del Hoyo, J., A. Elliot, and J. Sargatal, eds. Handbook of the Birds of the World. Vol. 1, Ostrich to Ducks Barcelona: Lynx Edicions, 1992.

Kear, J., and N. Duplaix-Hall, eds. Flamingos. Berkhamsted, United Kingdom: Poyser, 1975.

Ogilvie, M., and C. Ogilvie. Flamingos. Gloucester, England: Alan Sutton Publishing Ltd., 1986.

Periodicals:

Johnson, A.A. "Greater Flamingo." BWP Update 1 (1997): 15–24.

Olson, S.L., and A. Feduccia. "Relationships and evolution of Flamingos (Aves: Phoenicopteridae)." Smithsonian Contributions to Zoology No. 316 (1980).

Sibley, C.G., K.W. Corbin, and J.H. Haavie. "The relationships of the Flamingos as indicated by the egg-white proteins and hemoglobins." The Condor 71 (1969): 155–179.

Organizations:

Wetlands International/Survival Service Commission Flamingo Specialist Group. c/o Station Biologique de la Tour du Valat, Le Sambuc, Arles 13200 France.

Other:

Chilean Flamingos Page. Decatur (Illinois) Public Schools. 6 Dec. 2001.

Chilean Flamino Page. Rolling Hills Refuge Wildlife Conservation Center, Salina, Kansas. 6 Dec. 2001. .

Flamingo, Chilean Page. Phoenix Zoo. 6 Dec. 2001 .

The Roberts VII Project. Draft species texts. Greater Flamingo 6 Dec. 2001 . Lesser Flamingo 6 Dec. 2001 .

[Article by: Malcolm Ogilvie, PhD]

 
Columbia Encyclopedia: flamingo
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flamingo, common name for a large pink or red wading bird, similar to the related heron, stork, and spoonbill but with a longer neck, webbed feet, and a unique down-bent bill. Flamingos are tropical birds, although large colonies have been observed high in the Andes. The American, or greater, flamingo, Phoenicopterus ruber, is now rarely seen in Florida, nesting chiefly in the West Indies. Its plumage is vermilion with black-edged wings; a common S Asian and African flamingo is scarlet with black wing feathers. The flamingo scoops its large bill backward through shallow water in marshes and lagoons. When closed, the serrated edges of the bill strain from the muddy water the aquatic plants, shellfish, and frogs on which the bird feeds. The nest is a cone of mud 1 to 2 ft (30-61 cm) high and about 1 ft (30 cm) across with a depression on top. The mates take turns incubating the one or two eggs, sitting astride the nest with their legs folded flat on either side. Flamingos are classified in the phylum Chordata, subphylum Vertebrata, class Aves, order Ciconiiformes, family Phoenicopteridae.


Word Tutor: flamingo
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pronunciation

IN BRIEF: A wading bird that has a very long neck and legs, and pink or red feathers.

pronunciation A bright pink flamingo escaped from the zoo over the weekend.

Wikipedia: Flamingo
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Flamingo
Fossil range: Eocene - Recent
An American Flamingo (Phoenicopterus ruber), with Chilean Flamingos (P. chilensis) in the background
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Aves
Infraclass: Neognathae
Order: Phoenicopteriformes
Fürbringer, 1888
Family: Phoenicopteridae
Bonaparte, 1831
Genus: Phoenicopterus
Linnaeus, 1758
Species

See text

Lesser Flamingos in the Ngorongoro Crater, Tanzania
Andean Flamingos in the Laguna Colorada, Bolivia.
Greater Flamingoes Phoenicopterus roseus at Pocharam lake, Andhra Pradesh, India.

Flamingos or flamingoes[1] (Br-Flamingo.ogg pronunciation ) are gregarious wading birds in the genus Phoenicopterus and family Phoenicopteridae. They are found in both the Western Hemisphere and in the Eastern Hemisphere, but are more numerous in the latter. There are four species in the Americas and two species in the Old World. Two species, the Andean and the James's Flamingo, are often placed in the genus Phoenicoparrus instead of Phoenicopterus.

Contents

Systematics

Species

Species Geographic location
Greater Flamingo (P. roseus) Old World Parts of Africa, S. Europe and S. and SW Asia (most widespread flamingo).
Lesser Flamingo (P. minor) Africa (e.g. Great Rift Valley) to NW India (most numerous flamingo).
Chilean Flamingo (P. chilensis) New World Temperate S. South America.
James's Flamingo (P. jamesi) High Andes in Peru, Chile, Bolivia and Argentina.
Andean Flamingo (P. andinus) High Andes in Peru, Chile, Bolivia and Argentina.
American Flamingo (P. ruber) Caribbean and Galapagos islands.

Evolution

The prehistory of the Phoenicopteriformes is far better researched than their systematic affinities (see below). An extinct family of peculiar "swimming flamingos", the Palaelodidae, was initially believed to be the ancestors of the Phoenicopteridae. This is now rejected, as the fossil genus Elornis, apparently a true albeit primitive flamingo, is known from the Late Eocene, before any palaelodid flamingoes have been recorded. A considerable number of little-known birds from the Late Cretaceous onwards are sometimes considered to be flamingo ancestors. These include the genera Torotix, Scaniornis, Gallornis, Agnopterus, Tiliornis, Juncitarsus and Kashinia; these show a mix of characters and are fairly plesiomorphic in comparison to modern birds. (The supposed "Cretaceous flamingo" Parascaniornis is actually a synonym of Baptornis and not a close relative to any living bird). There exists a fairly comprehensive fossil record of the genus Phoenicopterus. The systematics of prehistoric Phoenicopteriformes known only from fossils is as followed:

  • Palaelodidae
    • Adelalopus (Borgloon Early Oligocene of Hoogbutsel, Belgium)
    • Palaelodus (Middle Oligocene -? Middle Pleistocene)
    • Megapaloelodus (Late Oligocene - Early Pliocene)
  • Phoenicopteridae
    • Elornis (Middle? Eocene - Early Oligocene) - includes Actiornis
    • Phoenicopteridae gen. et sp. indet. (Camacho Middle? - Late Miocene? of San José, Uruguay)[2]
    • Prehistoric species of Phoenicopterus:
      • Phoenicopterus croizeti (Middle Oligocene - Middle Miocene of C Europe)
      • Phoenicopterus floridanus (Early Pliocene of Florida)
      • Phoenicopterus stocki (Middle Pliocene of Rincón, Mexico)
      • Phoenicopterus copei (Late Pleistocene of W North America and C Mexico)
      • Phoenicopterus minutus (Late Pleistocene of California, USA)
      • Phoenicopterus aethiopicus

Relations

American Flamingos at Chester Zoo.
American Flamingo and offspring

The identity of the closest relatives of the flamingos is a rather contentious issue. A wide variety of birds have been proposed as their closest relatives, on a wide variety of evidence. To reflect the uncertainty about this matter, flamingos are generally placed in their own order. Recent molecular and anatomical studies have suggested a relation with grebes.

Traditionally, the long-legged Ciconiiformes, probably a paraphyletic assemblage, have been considered the flamingos' closest relatives and the family was included in the order. Usually the ibises and spoonbills of the Threskiornithidae were considered their closest relatives within this order. Earlier genetic studies, such as those of Charles Sibley and colleagues, also supported this relationship.[3] Relationships to the waterfowl were considered as well,[4] especially as flamingos and waterfowl are parasitized by feather lice of the genus Anaticola, which are otherwise exclusively found on ducks and geese.[5] Other scientists proposed flamingos as waders most closely related to the stilts and avocets, Recurvirostridae[citation needed]. The peculiar presbyornithids were used to argue for a close relationship between flamingos, waterfowl, and waders[6], but they are now known to be unequivocal waterfowl with a peculiarly derived morphology paralleling waders and flamingos.

Recent genetic studies have identified a major clade of birds, which has been named the Metaves. This group contains includes flamingos and grebes, as well as the hoatzin, pigeons, hummingbirds, and the sunbittern. Most of these groups have been difficult to place on the family tree of birds. Relations within this group are somewhat unclear, and it has been suggested that this clade is based on molecular convergence.[7][8][9]

Morphological evidence also strongly supports a relationship between flamingos and grebes. They hold at least eleven morphological traits in common, which are not found on other birds. Many of these characteristics have been previously identified on flamingos, but not on grebes.[10] The fossil Palaeodids can be considered evolutionarily, and ecologically, intermediate between flamingos and grebes[11]

For the grebe-flamingo clade, the taxon Mirandornithes ("miraculous birds" due to their extreme divergence and apomorphies) has been proposed.[citation needed] Alternatively, they could be placed in one order, with Phoenocopteriformes taking priority.[11]

Description

The arcuate bill of this American Flamingo is well adapted to bottom scooping

Diet

American Flamingos, many standing on one leg, in Lago de Oviedo, Dominican Republic

Flamingos filter-feed on brine shrimp. Their oddly-shaped beaks are specially adapted to separate mud and silt from the food they eat, and are uniquely used upside-down. The filtering of food items is assisted by hairy structures called lamellae which line the mandibles, and the large rough-surfaced tongue. The flamingo's characteristic pink colouring is caused by the Beta carotene in their diet. The source of this varies by species, but shrimp and blue-green algae are common sources; zoo-fed flamingos may be given food with the additive canthaxanthin, which is often also given to farmed salmon. Flamingos produce a "milk" like pigeon milk due to the action of a hormone called prolactin (see Columbidae). It contains more fat and less protein than the latter does, and it is produced in glands lining the whole of the upper digestive tract, not just the crop. Both parents nurse their chick, and young flamingos feed on this milk, which also contains red and white blood cells, for about two months until their bills are developed enough to filter feed.

Appearance

Flamingos feeding at Lake Nakuru, Kenya

Flamingos often stand on one leg. The reason for this behavior is not fully known. A leg is tucked beneath the body, because the flamingo like some other animals has the ability to have half of its body go into a state of sleep, and when one side is rested, the flamingo will swap leg and then let the other half sleep,[citation needed] but this has not been proven. It is often suggested that this is done in part to keep the legs from getting wet, in addition to conserving energy. As well as standing in the water, flamingos may stamp their webbed feet in the mud to stir up food from the bottom. Recent research has indicated that standing on one leg may allow the birds to conserve more body heat, given they spend a significant amount of time wading in cold water [12].

Young flamingos hatch with grey plumage, but adults range from light pink to bright red due to aqueous bacteria and beta carotene obtained from their food supply. A well-fed, healthy flamingo is more vibrantly coloured and thus a more desirable mate. A white or pale flamingo, however, is usually unhealthy or malnourished. Captive flamingos are a notable exception; many turn a pale pink as they are not fed carotene at levels comparable to the wild. This is changing as more zoos begin to add prawns and other supplements to the diets of their flamingos.

Conservation status

Moche Ceramic Depicting Flamingo. 200 A.D. Larco Museum Collection Lima, Peru.

Scientists have discovered that flamingos are dying by the thousands along the Great Rift Valley lakes of Kenya and Tanzania. However, they are baffled as to the reason. Possible causes include avian cholera, botulism, metal pollution, pesticides or poisonous bacteria, say researchers. Also, fears for the future of the Lesser Flamingo — Phoeniconaias minor — have been raised by plans to pipe water from one of their key breeding areas, the shores of Lake Natron. The lakes are crucial to the birds' breeding success because the flamingos feed off the blooms of cyanobacteria that thrive there.[13]

Relationship with humans

In Ancient Rome, flamingo tongues were considered a delicacy.[14] Also, Andean miners have killed flamingos for their fat, believed to be a cure for tuberculosis.[15]

The Moche people of ancient Peru worshipped nature.[16] They placed emphasis on animals and often depicted flamingos in their art.[17]

Habits, Behavior, Plumage etc.

See also

References

  1. ^ Both forms of the plural are attested, according to the Oxford English Dictionary
  2. ^ Ubilla, M.; Perea, D., Tambussi, C., and Tonni, E. (1990). "Primer registro fósil de Phoenicopteridae (Aves: Charadriiformes) para el Uruguay (Mio-Plioceno).". Anais da Academia Brasileira de Ciências 62: 61–68. ISSN 0001-3765. 
  3. ^ Salzman, Eric (December 1993). "Sibley's Classification of Birds". Ornitologia e dintorni. http://www.scricciolo.com/classificazione/sequence4.htm. Retrieved 15 November 2009. 
  4. ^ Sibley, Charles G.; Corbin, Kendall W.; Haavie, Joan H. (1969), "The Relationships of the Flamingos as Indicated by the Egg-White Proteins and Hemoglobins.", Condor 71 (2): 155–179, http://elibrary.unm.edu/sora/Condor/files/issues/v071n02/p0155-p0179.pdf 
  5. ^ Johnson, Kevin P; Kennedy, Martyn, and McCracken, Kevin G. (2006). "Reinterpreting the origins of flamingo lice: cospeciation or host-switching?". Biology Letters 2: 275–278. doi:10.1098/rsbl.2005.0427. http://mercury.bio.uaf.edu/~kevin_mccracken/reprints/biol-lett-2-275.pdf. Retrieved October 31, 2009. 
  6. ^ Feduccia, Alan (1976). "Osteological evidence for shorebird affinities of the flamingos.". Auk 93 (3): 587. http://elibrary.unm.edu/sora/Auk/v093n03/p0587-p0601.pdf. Retrieved November 3, 2009. 
  7. ^ Fain, Matthew G.; Houde, Peter (2004). "Parallel radiations in the primary clades of birds". Evolution 58 (11): 2558–2573. doi:10.1554/04-235. ISSN 0014-3820. http://biology-web.nmsu.edu/houde/Parallel_radiations.pdf. Retrieved 10 October 2009. 
  8. ^ Ericson, Per G. P.; Anderson, CL; Britton, T; Elzanowski, A; Johansson, US; Källersjö, M; Ohlson, JI; Parsons, TJ et al. (December 2006). "Diversification of Neoaves: Integration of molecular sequence data and fossils" (PDF). Biology Letters 2 (4): 543–547. doi:10.1098/rsbl.2006.0523. ISSN 1744-9561. PMID 17148284. PMC 1834003. http://www.senckenberg.de/files/content/forschung/abteilung/terrzool/ornithologie/neoaves.pdf. 
  9. ^ Brown, Joseph W.; Payne, Robert B.; Mindell, David P. (27 March 2007). "Nuclear DNA does not reconcile ‘rocks’ and ‘clocks’ in Neoaves: a comment on Ericson et al.(2006)". Biology Letters 3: 257-259. doi:doi:10.1098/rsbl.2006.0611. ISSN 1744-957X. http://rsbl.royalsocietypublishing.org/content/3/3/257.full. Retrieved 10 November 2009. 
  10. ^ Mayr, Gerald (2004). "Morphological evidence for sister group relationship between flamingos (Aves: Phoenicopteridae) and grebes (Podicipedidae).". Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society 140 (2): 157–169. ISSN 0024-4082. http://www.senckenberg.de/files/content/forschung/abteilung/terrzool/ornithologie/flamingo.pdf. Retrieved November 3, 2009. 
  11. ^ a b Mayr, Gerald (2006). "The contribution of fossils to the reconstruction of the higher-level phylogeny of birds". Species, Phylogeny and Evolution 1: 59-64. ISSN 1098-660X. http://www.senckenberg.de/files/content/forschung/abteilung/terrzool/ornithologie/gottingen.pdf. Retrieved 12 August 2009. 
  12. ^ http://news.bbc.co.uk/earth/hi/earth_news/newsid_8197000/8197932.stm
  13. ^ Mystery threat to pink flamingos - The Hindu, 9 October 2006
  14. ^ "Flamingo Feeding". Stanford University. http://www.stanford.edu/group/stanfordbirds/text/essays/Flamingo_Feeding.html. Retrieved 16 August 2008. 
  15. ^ http://www.seaworld.org/infobooks/Flamingos/fdeath.html
  16. ^ Benson, Elizabeth, The Mochica: A Culture of Peru. New York, NY: Praeger Press. 1972
  17. ^ Berrin, Katherine & Larco Museum. The Spirit of Ancient Peru:Treasures from the Museo Arqueológico Rafael Larco Herrera. New York: Thames and Hudson, 1997.

Further reading

External links


Translations: Flamingo
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Dansk (Danish)
n. - flamingo

Nederlands (Dutch)
flamingo

Français (French)
n. - flamant

Deutsch (German)
n. - Flamingo

Ελληνική (Greek)
n. - (ορνιθ.) φοινικόπτερος, φλαμίνγκο

Italiano (Italian)
fenicottero

Português (Portuguese)
n. - flamingo (m) (Zool.)

Русский (Russian)
фламинго, желтовато-красный цвет

Español (Spanish)
n. - flamenco

Svenska (Swedish)
n. - flamingo

中文(简体)(Chinese (Simplified))
红鹤, 火鹤

中文(繁體)(Chinese (Traditional))
n. - 紅鶴, 火鶴

한국어 (Korean)
n. - (새의 일종) 홍학

日本語 (Japanese)
n. - フラミンゴ, ベニヅル

العربيه (Arabic)
‏(الاسم) البشروس, : طائر مائي طويل العنق والرجلين‏

עברית (Hebrew)
n. - ‮שקיטן, פלמינגו‬


 
 

 

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