LEILA FADEL, HOST:

Good morning. I'm Leila Fadel. High school isn't the only place where individuals form cliques based on personal traits. Scientists say flamingos form their own kind of social structures - not like jocks or brainiacs, but instead making what can be lifelong friendships based on how loud they are. Quieter flamingos over here, more boisterous birds over there - maybe that's why when flamingos are grouped together, it's known as a flamboyance. It's MORNING EDITION. Transcript provided by NPR, Copyright NPR.