Plural of flamingo; large pink or reddish wading birds with curved beaks found in tropical and subtropical regions, known for their vibrant colors and social behavior.
From Spanish or Portuguese 'flamengo,' possibly from 'flama' (flame) referring to the bird's bright coloring, or from Latin 'flamma.' The alternate plural 'flamingos' is now more common, but 'flamingoes' is still accepted. The word was brought to Europe by Portuguese traders in the 16th century.
Flamingos are pink because of what they eat—carotenoid pigments in algae and shrimp get absorbed into their feathers, so flamingos in zoos that eat regular food turn white unless their diet is supplemented with special food coloring.
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