Flamingo
a bird, Phœnicopterus ruber, which has very long legs, and in other respects so much resembles one of the grallatores (waders), that it was long classed with them. But Swainson pointed out that its feet have the webbed toes of the duck, and the bill is a modification of a duck's bill. He therefore placed it with the natatorial (swimming) FLAMINGO birds. The plumage is rose-colored, the wing coverts red, the quill feathers of the wings black. It is about 3½ feet high.
It is found in the S. of Europe, frequenting the seashore, and living on mollusca, crustacea, and smaller fishes. Also the genus Phœnicopterus, of which species exist in Europe, Asia, Africa, and South America. They are gregarious and migratory, moving in large flocks.