Why are flamingos pink?

Flamingos are beautiful birds famous for their extraordinary grace and pink plumage. Did you know, however, that their unique color is not a gift of nature, but the effect of a diet? Birds naturally have white feathers that change their shade under the influence of astaxanthin, a red pigment produced by certain types of algae and plankton. These organisms are eaten, among others by crustaceans, which store the dye. These, in turn, feed on flamingos.