Although the flamingos of Lake Titicaca are rather slow and ungainly, they have developed an extremely effective defense mechanism. Using their long necks and curved beaks, they are able to hurl stones at predators with a great deal of force and surprising accuracy. Researchers have clocked stones hurled by the birds at over 60 miles per hour. Some people believe that the birds' abilities and beak shape led to the development of the cestus which is used to hurl the ball in the sport jai alai.