Greater flamingoes

Why is it in news?
  • After a long a gap, a flock of five greater flamingoes has been spotted on the Coast of Hope Island, a part of the Coringa Wildlife Sanctuary.
Greater Flamingoes
  • The long-legged and long-necked birds were last seen in a group about two and a half decades ago.
  • While a lone flamingo was recorded in the 2016 Asian Water Bird Census at Sirra Yanam village in East Godavari district. 
  • Spread over 235 sq. km, the sanctuary is an abode for about 35 species of mangrove plants and another 120 species of rare birds.
  • In addition, 236 species of migratory birds are spotted in and around the sanctuary with over 60,000 water birds visiting the sanctuary every year.
  • A group of greater flamingoes, however, was last seen here in 1993.
  • The sighting is an important development. Generally, the birds are always on the lookout for mudflats for nesting.
  • The greater flamingoes are the filter feeders and get their characteristic pink colour from their diet of brine shrimps and algae available in the coastal wetlands.
Source
The Hindu




Posted by Jawwad Kazi on 5th Nov 2018