Vertebrate Zoology - V. M. Konstantinov 2011

Chordates
Terrestrial, or Tetrapod, Vertebrates — Amniotes
Class Birds — Subclass Fan-tailed Birds, or Modern Birds — Superorder Neognathae, or Typical Birds — Order Flamingos

Flamingos are distinguished by their exceptionally long legs, where the tarsometatarsus is approximately three times the length of the Tibia (see Fig. 145). The neck is very long and, in a standing bird at rest, resembles the Latin letter S. The bill is peculiar: it is deep at the base and sharply bent downward in the middle. When feeding on plankton, a flamingo lowers its bill into the Water and turns its HEAD so that the upper Mandible is on the bottom and the lower mandible is on top. The bill opens slightly in the process, and the bird rhythmically sweeps its head from side to side like a mower swinging a scythe.

The Representatives of the order (six species) inhabit primarily the equatorial zone. One species, the greater flamingo, or common flamingo (Phoenicopterus roseus), is widespread; it is a large bird with a mass of 2.5 — 4.5 kg. The overall plumage coloration is white and pink, with black remiges (flight feathers). The vivid coloration quickly fades and disappears in captive birds kept in zoos, which is apparently related to their diet. The northernmost nesting sites have been recorded on lakes in the steppes of Northwestern Kazakhstan. They settle in colonies, building Column-like nests out of mud and plant debris in shallow waters. Such a pillar rises 15 — 20 cm above the water level. The clutch contains 1 — 3 white eggs, which are incubated for over a month by both parents. The chicks are precocial. Hunting flamingos is prohibited.