Why Are Flamingos Pink?

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EDGE Science

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Published on January 7, 2022 3:00:01 PM ● Video Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aSlHmcfA9_Y

Duration: 6:34

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On an evolutionary level, Flamingos are really messed up. They look like a combination of stork, swan, and penguin but are actually related to the hesperornis-like grebes, which are a neat order of aquatic diving birds. Aside from that, they routinely stand on one leg, can withstand extremely high temperatures and extremely salty water, sift microscopic animals out of the water for food, and are generally pink to bright reddish-orange in color. So, picking one of these bizarre traits out of a lottery hat, why the hell are they so damn pink?
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RESEARCH
Weaver, R.J., Santos, E.S.A., Tucker, A.M. et al. Carotenoid metabolism strengthens the link between feather coloration and individual quality. Nat Commun 9, 73 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-017-02649-z

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