110 W. New York Ave. DeLand, FL 32720 By Lynn Bowen posted Dec
30, 2012 - 9:19:31am Flamingos usually stand on one leg — even
when sleeping. They can fly and swim in the wild in the tropics
or subtropics of Africa, Asia, Europe, and Central and South
America. The Caribbean, Puna, Andean, lesser, greater, Chilean
and James's Flamingo are the species of flamingo that adorn many
of the world's shallow lakes, tidal flats and lagoons. However,
seeing a Caribbean flamingo sitting — as shown in the photo
accompanying this column — was something new! Flamingos vary in
color from white to all hues of pink. Their diet of brine shrimp
and algae dictates the feathers' color. Flamingos vary slightly
in size, but the Caribbean flamingo is about 43 inches tall, has
a 45-inch wingspan, and weighs about 6 pounds. It has a long
neck, very long legs, webbed feet, and unique, upside-down
beaks. Males are slightly larger than females. Flamingos filter-
feed by separating mud and silt from the food they eat by
"bottom scooping" in