What colors can flamingos see?

Flamingos are highly visual animals, and they have excellent color vision. They can see a wide range of colors, including ultraviolet light. This is important for them because they use their vision to find food and avoid predators.

Flamingos have special pigments in their eyes that allow them to see ultraviolet light. These pigments are called porphyrins, and they are found in the cone cells of the retina. The cone cells are responsible for color vision.

Flamingos use their ultraviolet vision to find food. They eat small animals, such as brine shrimp and algae, that reflect ultraviolet light. This makes it easier for them to see their prey in the water.

Flamingos also use their ultraviolet vision to avoid predators. They can see birds of prey, such as hawks and eagles, that reflect ultraviolet light. This helps them to avoid being eaten.

Flamingos are fascinating creatures, and their ability to see ultraviolet light is just one of the things that makes them so unique.