FLAMINGOS


Captive Flamingos

Flamingos have become a symbol of Florida, like the palm tree and the sunset, but they are most commonly seen at tourist attractions. Most of these birds were captured in the Caribbean islands. Zoos and tourist attractions usually clip a small amount of bone from the end of one wing (called “pinioning”). This makes the birds too unstable in flight to go far and allows them to roam about freely without escaping.
                                                        

The Caribbean Greater Flamingo feeds with its head upside down. In this manner it is able to draw in large quantities of water from which it sieves out small organisms by means of the hair-like process on the sides of its bill.