US EditionFeeding Flamingos Create Underwater Tornado-Like Vortices to Capture Their Prey, Study Finds
- Researchers led by Victor Ortega Jimenez published a study on May 12, 2025, showing Chilean flamingos create underwater vortices to trap prey at the Nashville Zoo and other locations.
- The study explains flamingos use stomping feet, head jerks, and rapid beak clapping to generate swirling mini tornadoes that concentrate elusive prey like brine shrimp.
- Experiments with 3D printed flamingo beak and foot models confirmed these behaviors produce symmetrical vortices recirculating particles at about 40 cm per second to enhance capture.
- Ortega Jimenez said, "It's this trick of fluid dynamics," noting that beak chattering increases brine shrimp capture about seven times and that these principles could inspire new filtering technologies.
- This research reveals flamingos as active predators using advanced fluid mechanics to feed, suggesting applications for engineering particle collection and self-cleaning systems.
28 Articles
28 Articles
Vortex predator: Study reveals the fluid dynamics of flamingo feeding
Flamingos, often pictured standing still with their heads submerged in water, make for a pretty picture. But peep underwater, and you’ll find the tall, elegant pink birds bobbing their heads, chattering their beaks, and creating mini tornados to efficiently guide microscopic prey into their mouths, according to a new study. “Think of spiders, which produce webs to trap insects. Flamingos are using vortices to trap animals, like brine shrimp,” le…
Flamingos Create Water Tornadoes to Capture Their Prey, Scientists Discover
A Chilean flamingo feeds with its head submerged. Credit: Under the same moon / CC BY 2.0 Flamingos may appear calm as they wade through shallow water with their heads submerged, but new research reveals a surprising truth: flamingos use water tornadoes to trap their prey. These swirling motions, created by the birds’ feet and beaks, help them hunt and capture small, fast-moving animals beneath the surface, proving they are far more active feede…
Serene, Beautiful — and Deadly: Flamingos Create Water Tornados to Trap Prey - WhoWhatWhy
Serene, Beautiful — and Deadly: Flamingos Create Water Tornados to Trap Prey (Maria) The author writes, “Flamingos standing serenely in a shallow alkaline lake with heads submerged may seem to be placidly feeding, but there’s a lot going on under the surface. Through studies of Chilean flamingos in the Nashville Zoo and analysis of 3D printed models of their feet and L-shaped bills, researchers have documented how the birds use their feet, heads…
Coverage Details
Bias Distribution
- 50% of the sources are Center
To view factuality data please Upgrade to Premium
Ownership
To view ownership data please Upgrade to Vantage
