Flamingos use their L-shaped beak and morphing feet to induce vortical traps for prey capture

Flamingos are known for their unique adaptations and behaviors that enable filter feeding. However, it remains unclear whether their beak, neck, and feet influence hydrodynamics to enhance prey capture. In this paper, we combine fluid dynamic experiments with real flamingos (Phoenicopterus chilensis) from the Nashville Zoo, robophysical models, and 3D-CFD simulations to reveal that these enigmatic birds actively generate directional flows and vortical traps to capture agile prey using unique adaptations such as their L-shape beak chattering, head retraction, foot stomping, and skimming behavior. Here we included datasets, scripts, images, and 3D reconstructions. All other data are available within the article and/or its supplementary materials., , # Data from: Flamingos use their L-shaped beak and morphing feet to induce vortical traps for prey capture

Dataset DOI: [10.5061/dryad.q573n5tvd](10.5061/dryad.q573n5tvd)

## Authors:

Victor M. Ortega-Jimenez

Tien Yee

Pankaj Rohilla

Benjamin R. Seleb

Jake Belair

Saad Bhamla

For correspondence relating to the data and code in this repository, please contact:

[[e-mail]](mailto:[e-mail])

## Description of the data and file structure

**I) Live Brine Shrimp Capture Using a Mechanical Beak and a Water Pump**

* ChatteringandPump_Brineshrimp.csv

This file includes data of cumulative Brine shrimp (Column 2) captured over time (Column 1) in seconds, when both the water pump and chattering mechanical mandibles are active.

* OnlyPump_Brineshrimp.csv

This file includes data on cumulative Brine shrimp (Column 2) captured over time (Column 1) when only the pump is active.

* brineshrimpfiltering.m

Matlab script plots that plot the cumulative brine shrimp captured ...,