Prev | Index | Next

DISTRIBUTION \nGalápagos, primarily seen on Floreana and other southern islands \nHABITAT \nLakes or lagoons of brackish water \n DIET \nThis bird eats small crustaceans. Its beak functions as a strainer. Particles up to a particular size can be sucked into its beak with water. Suction results when the bird retracts its thick, fleshy tongue with the beak slightly opened. This reduces the pressure in the beak so that water enters. The bird then closes the beak and moves the tongue forward, expelling the water while the food particles are caught on the lamellae, tiny tooth-like ridges inside the cutting edge of the bill. \n BREEDING \nThe nest is made of heaped up mud in the shape of a cone, with a shallow depression for the egg. A clutch consists of a single, white egg averaging about 3.5 by 2.2 inches. It is incubated for 27-31 days by both parents. The chick leaves the nest in 4-7 days. At 2-3 weeks, it grows a second gray, downy plumage and their beaks begin to bend. Adult plumage is assumed at age 3-4 years.
Copyright © 2006, Steve Shaluta

AmericanFlamingo-06-03.tif

DISTRIBUTION
Galápagos, primarily seen on Floreana and other southern islands
HABITAT
Lakes or lagoons of brackish water
DIET
This bird eats small crustaceans. Its beak functions as a strainer. Particles up to a particular size can be sucked into its beak with water. Suction results when the bird retracts its thick, fleshy tongue with the beak slightly opened. This reduces the pressure in the beak so that water enters. The bird then closes the beak and moves the tongue forward, expelling the water while the food particles are caught on the lamellae, tiny tooth-like ridges inside the cutting edge of the bill.
BREEDING
The nest is made of heaped up mud in the shape of a cone, with a shallow depression for the egg. A clutch consists of a single, white egg averaging about 3.5 by 2.2 inches. It is incubated for 27-31 days by both parents. The chick leaves the nest in 4-7 days. At 2-3 weeks, it grows a second gray, downy plumage and their beaks begin to bend. Adult plumage is assumed at age 3-4 years.

Online Ordering
Paper Size
Photo Only
Photo and Mat
5x7 Print
$20.00
$40.00
8.5x11 Print
$30.00

$60.00

13x19 Print
$75.00

$150.00

16x24 Print
$150.00
$225.00