Flamingos are Back at Pulicat Lake

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

About Flamingos

• Flamingos are large shorebirds with S-shaped long necks and stick-like legs.
• There are six species of flamingos worldwide:

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• 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

About Greater Flamingo (Phoenicopterus roseus)

• 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.

About Lesser Flamingo (Phoeniconaias minor)

• 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.

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About Pulicat Lake

• 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.