why they pink?
2007-07-23 22:08:44 · 5 answers · asked by christian j 2 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Zoology
Young flamingos hatch with grey plumage, but the feathers of an adult range from light pink to bright red due to the bacteria in the water they inhabit and the pigments obtained from their food supply. A flamingo that is well-fed and healthy is vibrantly coloured bright pink and is more desirable as a mate. A white or pale flamingo, however, is usually unhealthy or suffering from a lack of food. Notable exceptions are the flamingos in captivity, many of which turn a pale pink as they are not fed foods containing sufficient amounts of carotene. This is changing as more zoos begin to add shrimp and other supplements to the diets of their flamingos. In summary, flamingos obtain their color from a shrimp-rich diet.
2007-07-23 22:51:02 · answer #1 · answered by arslan 2 · 1⤊ 1⤋
The food that flamingos eat is rich in carotinoid pigments (named after the pigment found in carrots) which causes the pink coloration in their feathers.
I've also heard some zoos give their flamingos other suppliment type color extracts to make the pink color more intense. I'm sure this doesn't hurt the birds though.
2007-07-25 01:43:04 · answer #2 · answered by brattieangel_ac 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Cos the shrimp they eat is pink.
2007-07-26 06:46:14 · answer #3 · answered by S N 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
what they eat
2007-07-24 05:45:39 · answer #4 · answered by glenn t 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
LOREAL (COS THEIR WORTH IT)
2007-07-24 10:00:02 · answer #5 · answered by rolo24 1 · 1⤊ 3⤋