About the Image(s)

While photographing birds at a large Zoo in Jacksonville, Florida, a week ago, I spent some time around the aviaries and ponds. In one pond, a group of about fifteen flamingos caught my attention. Several of them had their heads completely upside down, with only the tips of their bills touching the water. The surface around them shimmered with constant ripples, creating a surprisingly beautiful scene.
Curious about this unusual behavior, I did some research and learned that I was watching flamingos feed.

Flamingos feed with their heads inverted so the upper part of the bill faces the bottom of the water. Their uniquely shaped bills are specially adapted for this position. As they slowly sweep their bills from side to side through the water or mud, their muscular tongues act like pumps, drawing water in and forcing it back out several times each second.

Inside the bill are rows of comb-like structures called lamellae, which act as filters. As the water is expelled, the lamellae trap tiny food items such as algae, small crustaceans, insect larvae, and other microscopic organisms. The continuous pumping of the tongue and the sweeping motion of the bill create the ripples that first caught my eye.

Flamingos may remain in this position for several minutes when feeding in a particularly rich area. Although they sometimes hang their heads down while resting, the constant movement of the water made it clear these birds were actively feeding.

It's one of the most distinctive feeding techniques in the bird world. Watching a flamingo is like watching a living filter, using its specialized bill as a built-in sieve while it quietly "vacuums" the water for food.

Images taken with a Nikon D850, 200-500mm Nikkor Lens, Focal Length 500 mm, ISO-3200, 1/640, F5.6.