Greater Flamingo (Phoenicopterus roseus)
Pelican Point, Walvis Bay, Namibia.
The Greater Flamingo is up to 1.6 m (5.3 ft) long, and has wingspan of 1.65 m (5.4 ft) and weight of 3.5 kg (8 pounds).
Unlike other birds, the flamingos have a much larger lower jaw than upper jaw. The massive bill is bent in a right angle. They hold the tip of the bill backwards while feeding. They search for food in shallow waters, introducing their beak into water, tilting upside down, and moving their heads from side-to-side. When feeding, the tongue of the bird works like a pump, sucking in water and mud through the front side of the bill, squeezing them with side filters on the lower jaw 20 to 240 times per minute, in a come-and-go type of movement. This allows them to feed on small fish, insects, plankton, algae and small crustaceans.