Caribbean Flamingo Flashcards

1
Q

What appears to be a knee on a flamingo is actually a _____.

A

Heel. (Flamingos walk on their toes)

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2
Q

What color are the feathers young flamingos?

A

White or gray.

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3
Q

What color are the legs and bills of young flamingos?

A

Pink or black.

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4
Q

How old are flamingos when they develop their adult coloration?

A

1 or 2 years

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5
Q

What is the wingspan of the Caribbean flamingo?

A

5 feet

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6
Q

How tall are Caribbean flamingos?

A

3 - 5 feet

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7
Q

How old are Caribbean flamingos when they are mature?

A

6 years

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8
Q

How much does the average Caribbean flamingo weigh?

A

7 pounds

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9
Q

How loyal are Caribbean flamingos to a particular mate?

A

They generally stay in long-term pair bonds, but some inter-breeding does occur.

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10
Q

Who builds the nests in a Caribbean flamingo relationship?

A

Both parents.

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11
Q

How do flamingos build nests?

A

They use their shovel-shaped bill to scoop up mud and build it into a mound with a shallow depression.

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12
Q

True or false? Flamingos continue to build their nest after the egg is laid.

A

True. They will continue to use sticks, leaves, mud, and feathers to build it.

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13
Q

How many months do Caribbean flamingos incubate their eggs for?

A

1 month

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14
Q

Where do young Caribbean flamingos go after they hatch?

A

They form groups (or creches) that are guarded by a few adults from the flock.

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15
Q

What do young flamingos eat?

A

Regurgitated liquid from both parents.

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16
Q

How long do young Caribbean flamingos eat the regurgitated liquids for?

A

Several months.

17
Q

How long does it take young Caribbean flamingos to be able to forage on their own?

A

One month.

18
Q

How months does it take young Caribbean flamingos to fledge?

A

3 months

19
Q

How long can Caribbean flamingos live in captivity?

A

45 years

20
Q

What is the range and habitat of the Caribbean flamingo?

A

Mudflats and shallow ponds and marshes (usually alkaline) in the Caribbean islands and Galapagos.

21
Q

What islands do Caribbean flamingos breed on?

A

The Galapagos.

22
Q

What is an alkaline lake?

A

A body of water with a very high amount of minerals.

23
Q

How does a lake become alkaline?

A

When water flows in, but doesn’t flow out. Therefore, water can only escape by evaporation and thus, many minerals remain.

24
Q

What do Caribbean flamingos eat?

A

Shrimp, shellfish, algae, macrophytes, and seeds.

25
Q

How do Caribbean flamingos eat?

A

They filter water through their bill.

26
Q

What is the synthetic carotenoid found in flamingo chow that allows captive flamingos to be pink?

A

Roxanthin.

27
Q

True or false? The Caribbean flamingo is solitary.

A

VERY false.

28
Q

How do flamingos socialize?

A

They bicker and squabble.

29
Q

True or false? Flamingos can sometimes act like a hive mind, doing the same thing across the flock that one bird does.

A

True.

30
Q

How do a flamingos webbed feet help it?

A

It allows them to swim and stir mud to find food.

31
Q

Why do flamingos face into the wind while resting?

A

To prevent wind and rain from penetrating their feathers.

32
Q

Why do flamingos stand on one leg?

A

To conserve body heat and allow blood to return to their heart more easily.

33
Q

How many neck vertebrae do flamingos have?

A

19 (Humans have 7)

34
Q

What is the greatest threat to flamingos?

A

Destruction of wetland.

35
Q

What is the conservation status of the Caribbean flamingo?

A

Least concern.

36
Q

Where has the Caribbean flamingo been extirpated?

A

Florida.

37
Q

How do Caribbean flamingos initiate courtship?

A

The male will walk by the female and if she is interested, she will walk in sync with him.