American Flamingo

The American flamingo (or Phoenicopterus ruber), also known as the Caribbean flamingo, is a large species of wading bird native to the mudflats, coastal lagoons, and other coastal wetland environments of the Southern USA, Central America, and the Caribbean. It is a filter feeder and uses its distinctively shaped beak to stir up mud and feed on invertebrates and seeds. The plumage is of a pale pink, with more intensely orange-pink colouration on the neck and flight feathers. Male and female flamingos look the same, although males tend to be heavier and slightly taller. Generally, American flamingos are between 1.2m and 1.45m tall, with a wingspan of 1.4m to 1.7m, and a weight of 2kg to 4kg.