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How to Color a Flamingo

Flamingos are among the most beautiful birds in the world with their graceful lines and striking colors. Plumage ranges in color by species, from delicate pale pink to deep vermilion. The color of flamingo feathers is derived from the carotenoids found in algae and insects common to the flamingo diet, which also includes brine tiny fish, crustaceans, mollusks, shrimp, brine fly larvae and microorganisms.

Things You'll Need

Paint, colored chalk or crayons
Paper or other art canvas
Flamingo outline

Instructions

- 1
  Color the flamingo feathers in a variety of pinks. Chilean flamingo feathers are very pale pink. Caribbean flamingo feathers are dark salmon pink, sometimes referred to as vermilion. All flamingos have a color range from light pink to darker shades. Even within the same species, the dominant color on the top layer may be either dark or light.
- 2
  Color the eyes a medium yellow with a black dot in the center. No white is visible, but there may be a darker orange rim around the outside of the eye.
- 3
  Color the beak. Depending on the species, flamingo beaks shade from light pink at the base to dark pink to black at the tip, or the colors may be reversed. In some species, the beak is black with a dark pink stripe near the tip.
- 4
  Color the legs and feet. Depending on the species, flamingo legs may be yellow, orange or dark pink. The legs and feet are the same color.

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