Paignton Zoo research finds male flamingos definitely have the moves
They're said to have over 130 different dances up their sleeve ready for springtime as the breeding season begins
A number of studies conducted by Paignton Zoo have unearthed some unusual facts about flamingos.
As the breeding season commences, you might notice that birds will have an extra spring in their step.
Steve Nash, Curator of Bird and LVI at Paignton Zoo, says it's due to the longer days and strengthening UVA levels:
"It triggers an instinctive response in birds to breed. Our male flamingos demonstrate this through the power of dance.
"They dance to attract a female mate and it's estimated that older male flamingos have a repertoire of over 130 different moves including 'the head flag', the 'wing salute', the 'inverse wing salute', and the 'wing-leg stretch' among many others."
"It's also not just dance moves that attract the ladies, female flamingos will select a mate based on how pink he is. The more pink a male is, the more desirable he becomes."
The colour of flamingo's feathers is linked closely with their food.
A pinker male flamingo is able to show that they're better at foraging. This shows to females that they would be a great choice of mate as both partners play a role in feeding their chick.
When rearing chicks both parents produce a red coloured 'crop milk' to feed their baby. Because they have to feed themselves as well as their baby, parent flamingos become paler as the chick gets older. In other words, rearing young literally drains the colour out of flamingos!
Once the breeding season is over, Paignton Zoo is hopeful for flamingo chicks later this year.
Females typically lay one egg and it takes arounds 30 days to hatch.