Micro eater. The Andean flamingo's bill features a sieve that filters particles approximately the width of a human hair from the shallow water of salt lakes. During breeding season, the striking bird devotes more than 80% of its time to feeding; during the winter, it spares more time for social interactions and displays. But over time its breeding sites have been compromised due to activities including mining and large-scale water usage. With this habitat degradation, the challenges ahead are anything but small.