Totem of the day is Flamingo! Be honest with yourself on your current activities and whether you are doing what you truly need to do. Think carefully about the actions ahead of you before you move. It will be important to consider all information before taking any action. It may be good for you to add more vegetables into your diet such as broccoli and carrots. You may have been alone for too long and need to branch out to friends for some company. However, try to avoid harsh environments or crowded situations. The Flamingo spirit guide is known for it's connection to cleansing, community, healing, and love. When Flamingo shows up, it can be a reminder to pay attention to what is going on in our social life. Make sure you are spending enough time with those important to you. Flamingo is also a sign that you may need to remove unneeded or negative aspects from your life to become healthier. If you have been holding on to old wounds, now is the time to take a deep breath and let them go. Move on with love within yourself and expressed to those around you. Be a light of radiance and joy. The Andeans, located in the Central Andes of South America, saw Flamingos as strong in healing powers. The Egyptians viewed Flamingos as a representation of their God Ra, the God of the sun. They were also considered a sacred animal in Peru and many cultures saw Flamingo as a savior of other animals. People who connect with Flamingo are often excellent at forms of performance due to their ability to shift and change. Often more of a follower, it is important for these types to be careful of who they idolize or chose to lead them. These individuals love to be around others and live with large groups rather than on their own. They are quite effective at removing negative influences from their life while retaining a strong connection with those they prefer.

Flamingos, Phoenicopterus, are omnivorous birds that can live between 15 and 30 years. Researchers believe they are distant relatives of the ibis and heron, although some DNA has suggested they are more closely related to ducks and geese. However, it is hard to test due to a limited amount of early fossils. It is believed these birds evolved around 30 million years ago or longer. These birds can be found throughout South America and Africa as well as warmer areas of Southern Europe and western Asia. Six different species can be found throughout the world: the Greater Flamingo the most widespread species found throughout Southern Europe, Asia, and Africa; the Chilean Flamingo found in South America; the Jame's Flamingo in the Andes Mountains; the large American Flamingo found in the Caribbean and Galapagos islands; and the most numerous species found in Africa and Northern India called the Lesser Flamingo. The largest species of Flamingo is the Greater Flamingo with a weight of up to 8 lbs and a height of up to 5 feet tall. They are most closely related to the american and Chiliean flamingo. The smallest species is the Lesser Flamingo coming in at around 6 lbs with a height of around 3 feet tall. These birds are known for their long legs, hooked bill, communal life, and bright pink colors. Some species, however, can actually be white, blue, or black. The pink color in most flamingos is actually caused by the alpha and beta carotenoid pigments found in their food sources. A flamingo's diet consists of crustaceans, seeds, insects, mollusks, and algae. It is certain types of these algae that cause the pink color in their feathers and face. Flamingos are known as filter feeders, meaning they will pull in both water and food to their beaks and then filtering out the water before swallowing. This is aided by the strange hooked shape of their beaks, little hairs called lamellae which cover the inside of their mouth, and a rough tongue to help filter the water out. Various flamingo species will have slightly different shaped beaks in order to better hunt for the specific foods in their habitats. While different species will live in slightly different habitats, Flamingos generally prefer areas with rich water sources and warm climates. Although some species will live in slightly colder climates as well. When feeding, flamingos will stop their feet through the water to stir up food. In a unique fashion, Flamingos will lower their heads upside down into the water, shaking from side to side to help pull in the food and water. They are able to hold their breath for several minutes while they search for food. While they may prefer at times to stay in one location in a large communal flock to feed, sometimes they will travel hundreds of miles in search of food. These birds are able to adapt easily to new environments. They can often be found resting along the banks of waterways. The iconic seen of a flamingo with one leg up underneath is actually a flamingo sleeping. When doing so, only half of the bird is asleep. The half of the body with the leg still standing is active while the half with the tucked leg is asleep, switching places after some time so that the other half of the flamingo can rest as well. The anatomy of a Flamingo is quite unique. The flexibility of their necks is due to possessing 19 vertebrae allowing a wide range of movement. Their long legs allow them to browse for food through deeper waters than other birds while their webbed feet enable them to move or swim without losing their balance. Their ankles actually reach halfway up their legs with their knees tucked close against their body under their wings. Flamingos are extremely social birds that can be found in groups with as many as 50 to a thousand individuals. Communication comes in a variety of forms and body behaviors. Wings are held up in salutes that are friendly greetings while twisting the neck back to preen their own feathers, called twist preening, is a form of courtship to impress females. Flamingos have excellent hearing, even able to pick out the distinct cries of their own young within a huge community of flamingos. When breeding season occurs, Flamingos will often search for a singular mate to breed with usually from within their own flocks. This is generally easy due to the enormous size of their flocks. Males will attempt to court females with preening, head turning, marching, and other movements and if she denies him, he must go to find another. Rather than occurring annually, flamingos often mate when it rains since this both increases the food sources and helps in finding supplies to build nests. These nests are built with mud, stones, sticks, and feathers into a cone shape that can be as tall as 12 inches. It can take up to 6 weeks to complete and the female will lay a single egg within. Both parents incubate the egg until a fluffy gray or white baby is born. They remain in the nest for approximately a week while fed a diet of milk from their parents upper digestive system. After that week, the young one will join the rest of the flock where all adults care for the offspring of the flock. After about three weeks, the baby flamingo's feathers will begin to change color depending on their diet.