Flamingos that have bright pink feathers could be healthier and stronger and fight the most aggressively over food, a new study has found.
New research from the University of Exeter has found that lesser flamingos are the most aggressive when squabbling over food.
The study also found that bright pink plumage on a flamingo could be an indicator that they are healthier.
Whilst being observed flamingos fought over food less when they were fed outside in an open space.
Dr Paul Rose, a zoologist at the University of Exeter and lead author on the study, said: 'Flamingos live in large groups with complex social structures.
'Colour plays an important role in this.
'The colour comes from carotenoids in their food, which for lesser flamingos is mostly algae that they filter from the water.
'A healthy flamingo that is an efficient feeder, demonstrated by its colourful feathers, will have more time and energy to be aggressive and dominant when feeding.'
The team studied the lesser flamingo species at the WWT Slimbridge Wetland Centre in Gloucestershire.
They looked at three types of feeding arrangements for the birds - indoor feeding bowl, a larger indoor feeding pool, and a spacious outdoor feeding pool.
This article has been adapted from its original source.
