Have you ever wondered why flamingos are pink? You might think it’s because of their genes, but that’s not the case. Flamingos are actually born with gray feathers, and they only turn pink because of their diet.
Flamingos eat algae and crustaceans that contain carotenoids, which are natural pigments that give color to plants and animals. For example, carotenoids make carrots orange and tomatoes red. When flamingos digest these carotenoids, their bodies break them down and deposit them in their feathers, skin and beaks, giving them their pink hue.
The more carotenoids flamingos eat, the brighter they become. That’s why some flamingos are more pink than others, depending on where they live and what they eat. There are six different species of flamingos in the world, and they can range from pale white to deep red1.
Flamingos are not the only animals that change color because of their diet.
Some other examples are salmon, shrimp, lobsters and crabs. Next time you see a flamingo, remember that it’s not just a pretty bird, but also a living example of how food can affect our appearance.