3.9K views · 1K reactions | Why are Flamingos Pink Flamingos get their pink color from their food. Flamingos really are what they eat. Many plants produce natural red, yellow or orange pigments, called carotenoids. Carotenoids give carrots their orange color or turn ripe tomatoes red. They are also found in the microscopic algae that brine shrimp eat. As a flamingo dines on algae and brine shrimp, its body metabolizes the pigments — turning its feathers pink. | Melanie Castro | Facebook

Why are flamingos pink? The answer’s in their diet! 🦩 Flamingos get their famous rosy hue from the carotenoid pigments found in the algae, shrimp and crustaceans they eat. Over time, those pigments build up in their feathers, skin and even their beaks, creating their signature color. Join Peter and Dr. Rae as they explore more fascinating wildlife facts on Mutual of Omaha's Wild Kingdom Protecting the Wild on NBC. | Mutual of Omaha's Wild Kingdom