Speed Reading — Flamingos - Level 2 — 200 wpm 

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Scientists think they have found how flamingos stand on one leg. We all love the image of these beautiful birds doing this. The reason why the birds do this has always puzzled scientists. Researchers in the USA say they have found this secret of the natural world. A professor says a flamingo can stand on one leg for many hours because of its skeleton. The flamingo's hips and leg bones are in a special position that gives the bird great balance. The professor said the flamingo's bones help it to stand on one leg. Flamingos do not have to use their muscles a lot to do this.

Another researcher said the flamingo is unique because it can stand still for a long time on one leg. It is very difficult for a human to stay still, even for an hour. The researcher said most of us don't know that we're moving all the time. Even when we stand still, our muscles always work to keep us straight so we don't fall over. The position of the bones in a flamingo means the birds do not need to use so many muscles to keep still. They can save energy. The researchers say that saving energy could be the reason why other birds also stand on one leg.

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