There are only six species of flamingos, (well, seven if you count our plastic cousins that are stuck in people's yards), and we live in the Americas, Africa, Europe, and Asia. Most people think that where my leg is bent back is my knee, but it is actually my ankle. My knee is very close to my body and is not visible because it is hidden under my beautiful pink feathers. I'm most often seen wading, but I am a really good flier, and fast, too! My legs are so long that they are longer than my entire body and they dangle beneath me when I fly. I bet you wish you had long legs like mine!

I'm hungry! Time to find some delicious shrimp, algae, plankton or crustaceans. Hmmm... what am I in the mood for today? Perhaps you'd like to join me for lunch? The things I eat are what keeps my feathers looking so beautiful; they can be either pink, orange or red. I love being such a bright flamboyant color! Oh, that reminds me... did you know that a group of flamingos is called a flamboyance? That seems appropriate, right? I do something really cool when I eat. I turn my bill upside down and use it as a skimmer. You've never eaten shrimp cocktail like that before! I bet you can't do it, and I bet it would be funny to watch you try!

I've just spent hours feeding on all sorts of yummy things and now I am exhausted and need a nap! That water is chilly so I am just gonna tuck one of my legs under my feathers. I need to rest and get ready for the big event later today. When I wake up it will be time for our group dance. We flamingos really know how to party! We stretch our necks upwards, flap our wings and do this funny thing with our heads while uttering calls. We are very social birds and there are thousands of us. You don't want to miss it!