Gujarat, located on the western coast of India, is home to a diverse array of bird species. Among the most iconic birds found in the state are flamingos. These large, pink-feathered birds can be spotted along the coastlines and wetlands of Gujarat. There are six species of flamingos in the world, and two of these species are known to inhabit Gujarat. These include the Greater Flamingo and the Lesser Flamingo.
Greater Flamingo
The Greater Flamingo (Phoenicopterus roseus) is the largest and most widespread species of flamingo. It can be identified by its pale pink to bright red plumage, long neck, long legs, and distinctive downward bent bill. Some key facts about the Greater Flamingo:
- Height: 120-145 cm
- Wingspan: 140-165 cm
- Weight: 2.2-4 kg
- Lifespan: 30-40 years
- Diet: Algae, crustaceans, small fish
- IUCN status: Least Concern
In Gujarat, Greater Flamingos are found along the coastal wetlands, salt pans, estuaries and mudflats. Some of the key wetlands where they can be spotted include Khijadiya Bird Sanctuary, Nalsarovar Bird Sanctuary, Thol Bird Sanctuary and the Gulf of Kutch.
The Khijadiya Bird Sanctuary located on the coast of Jamnagar district is known for its large flock of Greater Flamingos. Over 200 species of birds visit this wetland annually, but it is the flamingos that draw the most attention. The best time to see them is during winter between November to February when their numbers can reach up to 50,000.
Nalsarovar Bird Sanctuary near Ahmedabad is another top site for viewing flamingos in Gujarat. The shallow wetland is a breeding site for both Greater and Lesser Flamingos. Each winter, over 30,000 flamingos descend on Nalsarovar making it a spectacular sight for birdwatchers. The ideal months are December and January.
Thol Bird Sanctuary in Ahmedabad district also attracts flamingos although in smaller numbers compared to Nalsarovar. The wetland sees the birds arrive in winter and stay until the onset of monsoon.
Along the northern coast of Gujarat, the Rann of Kutch is an important habitat for flamingos. They are drawn to the vast mudflats and saline desert plains to feed on algae and small crustaceans. Flamingo City located near Dasada village is a breeding site where hundreds of chicks can be seen being fed by adult birds.
Lesser Flamingo
The Lesser Flamingo (Phoeniconaias minor) is the smallest species of flamingo in the world. It can be identified by its pale pink to light crimson plumage, black-tipped bill and bluish legs. Here are some key facts about the Lesser Flamingo:
- Height: 90-100 cm
- Wingspan: 80-94 cm
- Weight: 1.5-2.5 kg
- Lifespan: 20-30 years
- Diet: Algae, diatoms, small crustaceans
- IUCN status: Near Threatened
In Gujarat, Lesser Flamingos are seen at most of the same wetlands as Greater Flamingos. These include Nalsarovar Bird Sanctuary, Khijadiya Bird Sanctuary, Thol Bird Sanctuary and the salt pans of Kutch.
At Nalsarovar, it is estimated that one-third of the flamingo population consists of Lesser Flamingos. They start arriving in September to join the resident flamingos. Highest numbers occur between December and March during which 20,000 to 25,000 birds congregate at Nalsarovar.
Lesser Flamingos are also regular winter visitors to Khijadiya and Thol. They forage in the shallow waters mixing with the larger Greater Flamingos. Occasionally a few hundred Lesser Flamingos are also reported from the coastal marshes of Jamnagar, Porbandar and Kutch.
Breeding
Gujarat hosts breeding populations of both Greater and Lesser Flamingos at certain wetland sites. Flamingos nest in large colonies with thousands of birds gathering to breed.
Nalsarovar Bird Sanctuary is considered one of the most important breeding sites for flamingos in India after Rann of Kutch. Every year from July to September, hundreds of flamingo nests can be seen on the islands of Nalsarovar Lake. Both Greater and Lesser Flamingos nest side by side at the site.
The Rann of Kutch has two main breeding sites – Purabcheria salt pans and Zinzel salt pans situated near Dasada. Greater Flamingos are the main nesting species here although Lesser Flamingos also breed at Zinzel. At the height of the breeding season, over 20,000 flamingo nests have been recorded at these two sites.
Khijadiya Bird Sanctuary also occasionally sees some nesting activity by Greater Flamingos during the monsoon period when water levels are optimal. However, breeding success varies at the site from year to year.
Flamingo pairs build cone-shaped nest mounds from mud, clay and other sediment. The female lays a single large chalky white egg which both parents incubate for about 28-32 days. The grey down-covered chick is fed with crop milk produced by both parents. After 65 to 75 days, the juvenile flamingo finally leaves the nest and joins a crèche with other chicks.
Threats and Conservation
Although thriving at sites like Nalsarovar and Kutch, flamingo populations in Gujarat face a range of threats. Some of the major conservation issues are:
- Habitat loss due to wetland reclamation
- Pollution from industrial effluents
- Disturbance to breeding colonies
- Salinity changes in wetlands
- Decreased freshwater inflows
To protect the flamingos, Gujarat has established protected areas and sanctuaries encompassing critical wetland habitats used by the birds. These include Nalsarovar Biosphere Reserve, Khijadiya Wildlife Sanctuary, Thol Bird Sanctuary and the Marine National Park in the Gulf of Kutch. Flamingo breeding sites are granted highest protection with monitoring teams deployed during nesting season to prevent disturbances.
Beyond protected areas, community-based conservation initiatives are also promoting flamingo preservation in the state. For instance, in the Rann of Kutch, local herders called maldharis keep a watch over flamingo nesting colonies and prevent livestock from entering the sites during breeding season. Such participation of indigenous communities enhances conservation outcomes for flamingos in Gujarat.
More efforts are still needed to clean up wetland pollution, manage salinity levels, improve freshwater flows into coastal wetlands and expand protected wetland networks. With targeted conservation action, the signature flamingos of Gujarat can continue thriving in the state for generations to come.
Conclusion
Gujarat provides important habitat for two flamingo species – the Greater Flamingo and the Lesser Flamingo. Coastal wetlands, salt pans and inland lakes attract thousands of flamingos that flock to the state each year to feed and breed. Major sites hosting flamingos include Nalsarovar Bird Sanctuary, Khijadiya Bird Sanctuary, Thol Bird Sanctuary and the Rann of Kutch. Although protected areas secure critical flamingo habitats, continued conservation efforts are needed to address threats like pollution, salinity changes and breeding disturbances. Community stewardship initiatives combined with habitat protection and management can ensure the long-term survival of these iconic pink birds in Gujarat.
