Rare black flamingo spotted in the wild
Digital Reporter
Sunday, April 19, 2015, 5:47 AM - A rare black flamingo was spotted grabbing a bite to eat with some friends at a salt lake in Cyprus earlier this month.
Experts say the bird's unusual colouring can be attributed to a genetic condition that causes it to produce an excess of melanin, resulting in black feathers.
The birds were spotted near a British Air Force base close to a resort city. They likely stopped for a break on the way to their summer breeding grounds.
A black flamingo was reported in Israel in 2014 -- and experts think this may be the same bird.
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Pink flamingos owe their colour to their diet which consists of shrimp and algae that are high in carotenoid pigments.
You can see evidence of this pigment in shrimp, which turns pink when boiled.
Sources: YouTube | Metro UK
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