A bird of ponds and lagoons, the greater flamingo (Phoenicopterus roseus) is adapted to aquatic life thanks to its webbed fingers. They allow it to swim by keeping the upper part of its legs in a horizontal position while maneuvering the lower part from front to back to ensure its propulsion. The flamingo can also make its plumage waterproof by coating it with its beak with an oily substance contained in the uropygial gland located at the base of its tail (photo).