12 animals mistaken for mythical creatures
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Flamingos
The flaming hues of pink and red that form a flamingo's plumage can be so striking that many believe the birds could have given rise to the legend of the phoenix. A sacred firebird, the mythical phoenix was first identified by ancient Egyptians as a heron-like bird with crimson feathers. In fact, flamingos spend much of their time wading in salt flats, where convection currents are known to swell and flicker much like a flame.
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Comments
Flamingos aren't pink in the wild. They are a special combination of food to make them pink for zoos and parks. Just ask Jack Hannah. Phoenix myth, I think not.
well... flamingos actually are pink in the wild, and they gain that colour by eating lots of those little red crabs that are their favourites and live in the waters where they live. or at least that's what i heard...
This is a really interesting approach to an article. Good photos, too!
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