The Elemingo lives in mudflats where they congregate by the thousands. An elemingo uses their long trunk to suck up water and dispenses it into their mouth. They then filter the water out leaving a meal of tiny crustaceans behind. The diet of an Elemingo provides the vibrant pigmentation seen in their feathers. Elemingo trunks are also useful in constructing nests out of mud. The entire flock cooperates together to protect their vulnerable chicks from predators looking for an easy meal.