Flamingo Fun for Kids: Facts, Videos & Coloring Page Activities

Flamingo

Flamingos are bright pink birds with really long legs and necks. They live near water and love to stand on one leg. Kids think they are super silly and fun because of their color and how they walk!

Watch a Flamingo in Action!

Flamingos glide through the water, dip their heads upside-down to eat, and sometimes stand on one leg for a long time. These birds also talk to each other with funny honking sounds.

What Is a Flamingo?

A flamingo is a tall, colorful bird that lives near lakes and seas. Here are more fun facts:

They are wading birds, which means they stand and walk in shallow water.
Flamingos are famous for being pink, but baby flamingos are gray or white.
They use their upside-down beaks to filter food from mud and water.

Where Do Flamingos Live?

Flamingos live in warm places near water. Here’s where you can find them:

Near salty or shallow lakes, lagoons, and marshes.
Places like Africa, southern Europe, South America, the Caribbean, and even parts of Asia.

What Do Flamingos Eat?

Flamingos eat small things from the mud and water. Here’s what they like:

Tiny shrimp and algae that make them pink.
Small bugs, snails, and tiny shellfish.
They stir mud with their feet, then filter food using their special beaks.

How Big Is a Flamingo?

A flamingo can be as tall as 4 to 5 feet—about as tall as some kids standing on each other’s shoulders!
They can weigh as much as a large backpack, about 5 to 8 kilograms (11–18 lb).
When they spread their wings, they can be about 100 to 150 centimeters (3–5 ft) wide—like a school desk laid flat.

What Sound Do Flamingos Make?

Flamingos make honking and grunting noises, kind of like a goose or a trumpet. They use these sounds to talk and stay close in big groups.

Cool Flamingo Facts

They get their pink color from the food they eat.
Sometimes they stand on one leg to stay warm or save energy.
Groups of flamingos are called a “flamboyance.”
They clean their feathers using special oil.
Flamingos live in large groups—sometimes thousands!
They build mud nests to lay their eggs.
Flamingo chicks grow fast and leave the nest in a few days.

Printables and Coloring Fun

Kids love flamingos and can make learning even more playful!

Download Flamingo Coloring Page (PDF)

Flamingos in the Eco-System

Flamingos help nature by eating tiny creatures and keeping water clean. Here’s how they help:

They stir mud which helps other animals find food.
Flamingos are not endangered, but some live in places people are changing.
There are millions of flamingos around the world, but protecting their lakes keeps them safe.