See the Complete Picture.
Published loading...Updated

Feeding 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.
Insights by Ground AI
Does this summary seem wrong?

28 Articles

All
Left
6
Center
7
Right
1
nprnpr
Reposted by
Georgia Public BroadcastingGeorgia Public Broadcasting
Lean Left

Scientists have figured out why flamingos are such weird eaters

Flamingos look silly when they eat, but new research suggests they're actually being smart.(Image credit: Serhat Cetinkaya)

·Washington, United States
Read Full Article
Think freely.Subscribe and get full access to Ground NewsSubscriptions start at $9.99/yearSubscribe

Bias Distribution

  • 50% of the sources are Center
50% Center
Factuality

To view factuality data please Upgrade to Premium

Ownership

To view ownership data please Upgrade to Vantage

Phys.org broke the news in United Kingdom on Monday, May 12, 2025.
Sources are mostly out of (0)