Flamingos are Back at Pulicat Lake

GS Paper III Environment

Flamingos have returned to Pulicat Lake near Sriharikota, Andhra Pradesh, with the onset of the northeast monsoon.

About Flamingos

Species	Distribution	IUCN Status	Distinctive Features
Greater Flamingo (Phoenicopterus roseus)	Africa, Europe, and Asia	Least Concern	Largest flamingo species, pale pink plumage
Chilean Flamingo (Phoenicopterus chilensis)	South America	Least Concern	Similar to Greater Flamingo but with a darker pink hue
American or Caribbean Flamingo (Phoenicopterus ruber)	Caribbean, South America, and Florida	Near Threatened	Bright pink plumage, long, slender neck
Lesser Flamingo (Phoeniconaias minor)	Africa and India	Least Concern	Smallest flamingo species, bright pink plumage
Andean Flamingo (Phoenicoparrus andinus)	Andes Mountains in South America	Vulnerable	Yellow legs and feet, red spot between nostrils
James’s or Puna Flamingo (Phoenicoparrus jamesi)	Andes Mountains in South America	Endangered	All-black flight feathers, unique bill shape

Distribution: Found in tropical and subtropical regions globally.
Indicator Species: The flamingoes are the indicators of a healthy coastal environment.
- They play a vital role in maintaining the delicate balance of wetland ecosystems.
Types of Flamingoes found in India: Two species are commonly found.
- Greater Flamingo
- Lesser Flamingo

Flamingo

It is the most widespread and largest flamingo species.
Distinguished by black-tipped light pinkish beaks, yellowish eyes, and pinkish-white bodies.
Taller compared to other species.
State Symbol: Recognized as the state bird of Gujarat.
Distribution: Found in Africa, the Indian subcontinent, the Middle East, and southern Europe.
- In India, they are present across most regions except high-altitude Himalayas, East, and Northeast India.
Habitat: Inhabit both brackish and freshwater wetlands.
Conservation Status
- IUCN: Listed as Least Concern.
- CITES: Included in Appendix II.

Flamingo

They are the smallest among all flamingo species.
Unique for possessing a “hallux” or hind toe, which is absent in some other flamingo species.
Males are slightly taller than females.
Habitat: Found in coastal and inland wetlands.
Diet: They primarily feed on blue-green algae but also consume crustaceans and small insects occasionally.
Distribution: Largely restricted to western India in brackish water regions such as Gujarat, Rajasthan, and Mumbai.
Conservation Status
- IUCN: Classified as Near Threatened.
- CITES: Included in Appendix II.

Flamingo

Pulicat Lake is India’s second-largest brackish water ecosystem, following Chilika Lake in Odisha.
- It was designated as a Ramsar site in 2002.
It runs parallel to the Bay of Bengal and has a sandbar, making it a unique lagoon ecosystem.
Water Sources: The lake is fed by three rivers:
- Arani River: At its southern tip.
- Kalingi River: From the northwest.
- Swarnamukhi River: At the northern end.
Location: Pulicat Lake lies on the border of Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu, with the majority of the lake situated in Andhra Pradesh.
Bird Diversity: The lake attracts a variety of birds, including grey pelicans and painted storks, which visit annually.

Additional Reading: Pulicat Bird Sanctuary

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