ON THE WILD SIDE

Bright pink and proud

THERE are a few species of bird that anyone, even someone who has never seen one in real life, can immediately identify.

The flamingo fits very firmly into that category. The ridiculous, ostentatious, bright pink birds are so fabulous it’s impossible not to love them.

Although not British, in honour of Pride Month I’d like to look at this fantastic bird and share a few facts about them. Flamingoes have been seen forming long-term gay partnerships and even raising abandoned chicks together. The most famous pair came from Denver Zoo in the US.

There are six species of flamingo now, and the fossil remains of about 10 more. Four species live in the Americas, while the remaining two live across Africa, Asia and Europe.

The closest they ever get to us is Spain and France, with the occasional British sighting usually coming from escaped pets. Their name is from the Spanish for “flamecoloured”, and their latin name means “blood-coloured”.

Their colour may be the most striking thing about them, but did you know it’s… faked? All flamingoes are born grey and white, and it takes three years of eating pink shrimp and beta carotene-rich algae to take on their full hue. The pinker the bird, the more desirable they are as a mate, as it is linked to how healthy and well-fed they are.

You may also have noticed their strange “bent” beaks,

With Lily Woods which become like that as they grow. They have a comb-like structure to strain food out of mud and water – but only work upside down. Flamingoes are known for standing on one leg. No-one is quite sure why, but evidence shows it takes them no effort to do so. The biggest species grow to 5ft and live around 25 years in the wild, though the oldest captive bird was more than 80. Apparently, the ancient Romans had a taste for flamingo flesh (particularly the tongue), but in some recipes parrot could be used instead. No thanks, I’ll stick to my chicken.