Phoenicopterus ruber
Range
They are found in southern Florida, the Caribbean, the Yucatan Peninsula of Mexico, Central America, Northeastern South America and on the Galapagos Islands.
Habitat
They live in shallow ocean lagoons in tropical and subtropical regions.
Body Traits
They have oval-shaped, pink bodies with darker pink wings. The tips of their wings are black. They have long, pink legs and a long neck. They have a large bill that curves downward, pink on top and black at the tip. They have a large bill that curves downward, pink on top and black at the tip.
Habits
They gather in large flocks. They fly with their necks and legs held straight out. They have a honking call.
Diet
They feed with their heads upside down in the water, sweeping their bill from side to side, stirring up the water to get to food and suck it in. They have a jagged edge on the bill that acts like a filter letting water with snails, shrimp and insects in. Then their tongue pushes the water out and they swallow the food.
Reproduction
The female lays one white egg on a mound of mud, rocks and shells more than a foot tall. Both parents care for the chick. The whole flock nests in the same area and parents will watch other young so they can take turns feeding.
Classification
Domain: Eukarya
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Subphylum: Vetebrata
Class: Aves
Order: Phoenicopteriformes
Family: Phoenicopteridae
Genus: Phoenicopterus
Species: P. ruber