Flamingos stand on one leg due to a unique joint-locking mechanism that allows them to maintain stability with minimal muscle effort, even when asleep or deceased. This posture conserves energy and is more comfortable for the birds, highlighting the physics behind their distinctive behavior rather than just biological factors.

This chapter explores the peculiar behavior of flamingos standing on one leg, debunking the common belief that it is to conserve heat. Researchers discovered that flamingos can maintain this position even after death, suggesting minimal muscle effort is required, unlike other birds that conserve heat through closely-packed blood vessels in their legs.

This chapter explores the peculiar behavior of flamingos standing on one leg, debunking the common belief that it is to conserve heat. Researchers discovered that flamingos can maintain this position even after death, suggesting minimal muscle effort is required, unlike other birds that conserve heat through closely-packed blood vessels in their legs.

Researchers found that a dead flamingo can stand stably on one leg due to a joint-locking mechanism triggered by gravity and the bird's center of mass. This study, which also included live flamingos, revealed that the one-legged posture is energy-efficient and naturally suited to the birds' anatomy.

Researchers found that a dead flamingo can stand stably on one leg due to a joint-locking mechanism triggered by gravity and the bird's center of mass. This study, which also included live flamingos, revealed that the one-legged posture is energy-efficient and naturally suited to the birds' anatomy.