Why Are Flamingos Pink?

Flamingos get their distinctive pinkish-orangish color from the foods they eat. Most of a flamingo's diet is made up of foods with high levels of carotenoid pigments, so the bird's feathers, legs and even beak take on the same tone. Incidentally, the same thing happens to humans who consume lots of foods with a lot of carotenoid pigments, such as carrots — their skin turns slightly orange.

More about flamingos and coloration:

• In humans, skin color can also become unusually yellow, in the case of jaundice; or even blue, in the case of argyria, a condition usually caused by over-exposure to silver. Jaundice is treatable and reversible, but people who have argyria usually have blue skin for the rest of their lives.


• Animals that can change their color often do so by using chromatophores, special cells through which pigment can be moved. Chromatophores also include reflective plates that the animal can position to change color. Animals that use chromatophores include chameleons, cuttlefish and some frogs, among others.


• When flamingos are born, their feathers are actually gray, and their beaks and legs are pink. They start getting adult beak and leg coloration within a week, and their feathers change soon after that.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why are flamingos pink in color?

Flamingos are pink due to their diet, which is rich in carotenoid pigments found in algae, brine shrimp, and other foods they consume. When digested, these pigments dissolve in fats and are deposited in the feathers, skin, and beak, giving flamingos their distinctive pink hue.

Do flamingos start out pink when they are born?

No, flamingos are not born pink. They hatch with greyish down feathers and only develop their pink coloration as they grow older and consume a carotenoid-rich diet. It can take a young flamingo up to three years to achieve the full pink color of adults.

Can a flamingo's diet affect the intensity of its pink color?

Yes, the intensity of a flamingo's pink color is directly affected by its diet. A diet lacking in carotenoid pigments can lead to paler feathers, while a diet high in these pigments can result in a more vibrant pink coloration. This is why captive flamingos are often fed a specialized diet to maintain their color.

Are all flamingo species the same shade of pink?

No, not all flamingo species are the same shade of pink. The coloration can range from light pink to bright red and is influenced by species variation and the specific types of carotenoid pigments available in their natural diet. For example, the Greater Flamingo is usually lighter in color than the Caribbean Flamingo.

Is the pink coloration of flamingos important for their survival?

The pink coloration of flamingos is not directly important for their survival, but it can play a role in social signaling and mate selection. A vibrant hue may indicate good health and a superior ability to find food, which can be attractive to potential mates during breeding season.

Can flamingos lose their pink color if they stop eating foods with carotenoids?

Yes, flamingos can lose their pink color if they stop consuming carotenoid-rich foods. Their feathers would gradually become paler with each molt, as new feathers would lack the pigment. This is often observed in captive flamingos that are not provided with a diet supplemented with sufficient carotenoids.