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October 11, 2026 Fact of the Day Birds Flamingos aren’t born pink. By Bennett Kleinman The phrase “you are what you eat” may hold most true when talking about flamingos. These striking pink birds initially lack any sort of flamboyant coloration, as their feathers are more of a dull gray for the first year or two of their lives. Over time, flamingos develop their signature pink color due to their diet. These birds mainly dine on algae, brine shrimp, fly larvae, and other foods containing carotenoids — a type of organic pigment associated with shades of red, orange, and yellow. One carotenoid that’s typically found in the aforementioned food sources is the red-orange beta-carotene, which is broken down in the flamingo’s digestive tract and then absorbed into the fats of its liver. Those pigments are then deposited into the bird’s feathers and skin, resulting in its bright pink hue. Other color-changing creatures Today's Question Which animal’s eyes appear to change from gold in summer to blue in winter? Arctic Fox Chameleon Octopus Reindeer Keep Exploring Birds The Weird Way Flamingos Eat Birds Why Do Flamingos Stand on One Leg? Across Species 7 Animals That Turn White in Winter Was this email forwarded to you? Sign Up Advertise Contact Us Privacy Policy Terms of Use 325 North LaSalle Street, Suite 200, Chicago, IL 60654 If you'd like to unsubscribe from all Animal Facts emails, click here.