Flamingo personalities analysed and 'birds of a feather' really do flock together

As in all crowded situations, avian or human, rows erupt from time to time. Being with like-minded individuals offers support in times of stress.

Two Caribbean flamingos ganging up on another bird. A new study suggests the birds form cliques of like-minded individuals and tend to spend time with others whose personality is similar to their own. The study revealed the complex nature of flamingo societies and could help in the management of captive flocks. Picture: Paul Rose/WWT/PA Wire

Carl Jung believed that people tend to be either ‘introverts’ or ‘extroverts’ — although few of us are exclusively one or the other.

Fionnuala McCully and Paul Rose of Exeter University claim that flamingos have a similar trait: some are outgoing and adventurous, while others remain cautious and retiring. Also, a flamingo likes to be with like-minded friends. ’Aithníonn ciaróg ciaróg eile’ is the rule or, as Rose says on the University website, ‘birds of a feather flock together’.