Flamingos use their L-shaped beak and morphing feet to induce vortical traps for prey capture.

ABSTRACT: Flamingos feature one of the most sophisticated filter-feeding systems among birds, characterized by upside-down feeding, comb-like lamellae, and a piston-like tongue. However, the hydrodynamic functions of their L-shaped chattering beak, S-curved neck, and distinct behaviors such as stomping and feeding against the flow remain a mystery. Combining live flamingo experiments with live brine shrimp and passive particles, bioinspired physical models, and 3D CFD simulations, we show that flamingos generate self-induced vortical traps using their heads, beaks, and feet to capture agile planktonic prey in harsh fluid environments. When retracting their heads rapidly (~40 cm/s), flamingos generate tornado-like vortices that stir up and upwell bottom sediments and live shrimp aided by their L-shap

SUBMITTER: Ortega-Jimenez VM 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12130884 | biostudies-literature | 2025 May

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature