When flamingos fly long distances, they organize themselves into various groups and formations and stay very close to each other. As the flamingo needs to beat its wings almost continuously during its flight, being in a specific grouped formation allows the members to face the air resistance better. The greater flamingo's flight speed extends between 30 and 40 mph (50 to 65 km/h), and its wingspan can reach 5.41 ft (165 cm), wings outstretched. With their large and powerful wings, flamingos can travel hundreds of miles in a few hours.