Flamingos in Flight

Flamingos may look more like pink puddles than a bird capable of flight, but this exotic species can indeed flutter through the air with surprising grace. And they’re not just moving at a leisurely pace, either: They often fly in V-shaped formations (similar to geese) to conserve energy and move as a group while navigating windy conditions.

Despite their delicate appearance, these birds can reach speeds of up to 40 miles per hour in the air, thanks to a combination of supportive winds and their long legs that act as natural landing gear. They’re also known to honk while flying, an important way for the birds to communicate with each other and warn of danger.

While a number of factors could have contributed to the crash, one theory is that new power lines running through the area disoriented the flock as they were migrating north and led them into the path of the Emirates airliner. The plane, which suffered damage but safely landed, is currently grounded for engineering inspections.

For most people, the sight of a plane hitting a flock of flamingos is a pretty surreal one. But what makes this avian event even more interesting is the fact that flamingos actually have quite an impressive flight pattern, as we learn in this fascinating video from National Geographic.

In the wild, flamingos tend to live in shallow water habitats where it’s difficult for them to get away from predators or other dangers, so they fly in small groups for protection. Their V-shaped formations help them glide along while conserving energy, as the bird at the front of the formation generates a burst of lift with every flap of its wings. They also use vocalizations, including growling and nasal honking, to maintain communication with members of their group or to alert others of potential danger.

Flamingos in captivity usually have their wings clipped or pinioned so they can’t fly, but that doesn’t harm the birds in any permanent way. The clipping is done using a process called pinning, which involves removing the 2nd phalange of the wing feathers. It’s considered a very cruel and illegal practice in many countries, including England, where it is only performed under anesthetic. Occasionally, flamingos who have had their wings clipped by zoos may escape and land in estuaries or lakes, looking rather out of place.

On a flight last August from Atlanta to Seattle, Alaska Airlines flight attendant Amber received an unusual request from one of her passengers. The passenger had been entrusted with some Chilean flamingo eggs from Zoo Atlanta and needed her help keeping them warm during the trip. Amber agreed to the task, and hatched all six of the eggs that were carried on board. The eggs made it off the plane and were delivered safely to Woodland Park Zoo, where they hatched into healthy chicks. Zoo officials say they’re grateful to Amber for her assistance and hope she will continue to be an active part of their conservation efforts.