Galápagos flamingoes live in the saltwater lagoons located inland from the ocean. To feed, they turn their heads upside down and fill up their deep beaks with water, fish, crustaceans, and mud. Turning their heads upside down allows them to use a natural filtering system that separates the fish and crustaceans from the water and mud.

The large numbers of crustaceans, like shrimp, in their diet are responsible for the flamingo’s pink color. Flamingos from the Galápagos are endangered.

(Photo: © Amla Sanghvi)