Ahoy Flamingo!

Flamingos feeding at Sewri Mudflats

 The Flamingos are here!!!
Don't miss the opportunity to see these birds who are presently visiting the wetlands in our city.
Photo Credit: Pritesh Nandvikar
Every year, to avoid the harsh winters of north India, greater and lesser flamingos migrate for a couple of months (between November to February) towards the coasts of central and southern India. These unique and iconic birds are also known for their strange feeding habits. They eat with their heads upside down! There is an interesting reason why they do so. Flamingos are filter feeders, i.e., they have spiny filter plates in their beaks which they move side by side sieving out the water and take in various small crustaceans, mollusks, fish and insects.

Facts about the Flamingos found in India:
Greater Flamingos (Phoenicopterus roseus) are the largest and the most widespread species of flamingos in the world. While, Lesser Flamingos (Phoenicopterus minor) are the smallest and the most numerous species of flamingos in the world.

There are talks about Mumbai getting its own Flamingo Sanctuary that will be situated alongside the Thane creek. Local NGOs and Bird Conservationists have already proposed this idea to the Forest Department. The implementation of such a sanctuary will be one of a kind for our city and it will also assure a promising future for the flamingos and many other birds that visit the city. 

 Best locations to look out for flamingos in the city would be Sewri Mudflats, Vasai Creek, Mahul Creek and in wetland habitats near Uran and Naigaon.
Photo Credit: GreenLine team member -Aristo
Seen recently at Sewri Mudfalts in January 2013

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