Have you wondered why flamingos frequently stand on one leg? According to zoologist Dr Paul Rose, flamingos are more stable on one leg than they are on two. How is that possible? Apparently, the ligaments and tendons in a flamingo’s legs can be locked in position, and that reduces any muscular effort to stay in one place. Standing on one leg is basically an energy-saving activity for these winged creatures:
“If you’re a flamingo, you’re going to want to sleep on one leg as you can activate this locking mechanism and just stay there. Sleeping on two legs would mean constantly maintaining your balance.”
Interestingly, they aren’t the only animals to engage in this behaviour. Ducks, geese, swans and flamingos are birds of a feather, using similar locking mechanisms in their legs to stay perfectly balanced.
“So many birds stand on one leg. It just so happens that because flamingos have such long legs, we see it more,” says Rose.
“Yet we can even see this behaviour in humans to some extent if they’re in a queue: people will rest more weight on one leg than the other.”
Image via Science Focus