Main content
Flamingo
Birds suddenly throw open their wings to give an eye-catching flash of their more colourful black and pink wing feathers.
On such a crowded dancefloor – what moves are flamingos looking for?
- Flamingo courtship displays are performed in groups containing both males and females. Lesser flamingos can gather in flocks of up to 2.5 million birds.
- Both male and females flamingos are looking-out for good moves in a partner.
There are at least nine specific moves incorporated into their dance routines, including:
- The performance starts with ‘head flagging’ birds precisely turn their heads from side to side.
- Next, is ‘marching’. Tightly packed groups of birds rush one way and then the other with heads held high.
- Then, there is the ‘hooking posture’ – a move mainly carried out by males – where they dip their beaks to touch their necks.
- Wing saluting takes place after the marching and flagging. Birds suddenly throw open their wings to give an eye-catching flash of their more colourful black and pink wing feathers.
Flamingos compare and contrast their moves, and it is thought that they are drawn to mates whose moves most closely mirror theirs.
