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Galapagos flamingos smaller than american relatives
A small population of a few hundred flamingos live in the Galápagos Islands. Genetically they are a mix of American and Caribbean flamingos, but they are considerably smaller than their cousins.
The color intensity of their feathers reflects the naturally occurring carotenoid pigments they ingest in their food: crustaceans, algae, microscopic plants, and photosynthetic bacteria.
On cold nights and during the day when it is cold, flamingos fluff up their feathers to keep warm. Their body heat warms the air caught between their feathers when they fluff, which has an insulating effect.
