New Research Shows That Flamingos Don’t Spend More Time Preening Than Other Water Birds

Recent research challenges the long-held belief that flamingos preen their feathers more than other waterbirds. A study published in Applied Animal Behavior Science by the University of Exeter and WWT Slimbridge Wetland Center examined the feather care habits of five flamingo species.

Contrary to popular belief, flamingos‘ preening habits are average compared to other waterbirds. The study, led by Dr. Paul Rose, found that while preening time varied among individual flamingos, they were not the top preeners in the bird world. Pelicans, gannets, and cormorants, which spend a lot of time in the water, were shown to preen more frequently to maintain their waterproof feathers.

Another finding was that flamingos, particularly in captivity, often stand on one leg to conserve energy and reduce heat loss. This behavior is more commonly observed in controlled environments like zoos.

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