For centuries, scientists couldn't explain why flamingos aren't born pink until a breakthrough in the 1960s revealed the answer | TheBriefWire
For centuries, scientists couldn't explain why flamingos aren't born pink until a breakthrough in the 1960s revealed the answer
Published 30 July 2026 ยท science
Flamingos obtain their striking pink color from dietary carotenoids found in algae and brine shrimp. These pigments are converted by the birds into compounds that
Flamingos obtain their striking pink color from dietary carotenoids found in algae and brine shrimp. These pigments are converted by the birds into compounds that accumulate in their feathers.
Young flamingos hatch with muted colors and gradually develop pink as they mature. Different species exhibit varying shades of pink based on their specific food
sources. This coloration plays a vital role in their survival and reproductive success.