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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