Another of our favorite features of Lake Manyara National Park is flamingos. 

These comical birds often congregate together – feeding on the garden of blue-green algae that flourish in the shallows. Posing in large numbers on their tall stilts of legs with their pink plumage reflecting in the still water, the first sight of these colorful birds is really quite remarkable.

Lake Manyara is home to both lesser and greater flamingoes, the two species of the bird native to Africa. The greater flamingo features whitish-pink feathers, pink legs, a pink bill with a black tip, and black-edged wings. The lesser flamingo weighs around half the size of the greater flamingo and is shorter. 

They are much the same in appearance but can be easily distinguished by their black bills and their much pinker plumage. These statuesque birds have long legs, they can wade into much deeper water than most birds, and their webbed feet help support them on soft mud. 

Flamingos also have an endearing habit of standing on one leg. The reason why they do this is because curling a leg under the body keeps the foot warm and conserves body heat.

Before taking flight, a flamingo must run some steps before it lifts into the air, with great wings outspread to catch the lifting undercurrents. They fly with their body completely extended – neck and head outstretched in front of their body with legs trailing horizontally behind. 

It is interesting to note that the flight speed of a flock of flamingos can reach up to 60 kph and these birds have been known to fly up to 600 km each night between stops for food.