Patreon date: 3/24/2017

Flamingos are pink because their diet of brine shrimp, algae and other tiny water organisms contains high amounts of carotenoids (like beta carotine). The natural pigment dyes their white feathers as they grow in, like a natural tattoo. Captive flamingos in zoos are fed a special diet that maintains their natural colors.

Colored pencil and sepia and white inks on tinted card stock. Drawn from photo.