Flamingos are social birds, they will be seen mainly in flocks, (Flamingo flocks are referred to as a ‘colony,’ or a ‘stand’).
Greater Flamingos are omnivores and are filter-feeders. They usually feed head submerged, with its bill upside down, sieving through the shallow water for small crustaceans. This is achieved by sucking in the water through the partly closed bill, the water is then pushed out by pumping their tongue up and down continuously, (about 5 to 6 times a second) this can last up to 20 seconds while the head is still submerged. It was fascinating observing them as they scuffle their feet, disturbing the underwater sediment, for tiny crustaceans, such as shrimp, molluscs, tiny fish, plankton and insect larvae. Plant material is also eaten, such as decaying leaves, algae, seeds, and small young water plants.
While observing I did notice that each bird (if not paired up) preferred their own “elbow” space. The odd peck, scuffle or short chase did occur occasionally, especially if one came too close to another, while it was feeding.
The immature Flamingo lacks the mature Flamingos colourful, pinkish-white body plumage and red wing coverts; also lacking the colourful pink bill, with a black tip. The adults attain their colourful plumage, which mainly comes from their diet of shrimp and other pink crustaceans, living in the warm saltwater.
The Greater Flamingo can live to the age of over 60 years old in captivity. The average life span in the wild, is around 30 – 40 years.
