01 May,2025 03:04 PM IST | Mumbai | Ranjeet Jadhav
The lesser flamingos are usually found in saltwater lakes and wetlands. Pic/LOCA
In a rare sight, flocks of lesser flamingos were witnessed at Mogara Nullah near Millat Nagar area of Andheri in suburban Mumbai.
The lesser flamingos are usually found in saltwater lakes and wetlands.
Dhaval Shah, President of the Lokhandwala Oshiwara Citizens Association (LOCA), said, "One of our nature lovers from Lokhandwala Complex sent us the video of the lesser flamingos. A good number of flamingos are being spotted at the Mogara Nullah, along with a good diversity of birds in the mangrove forest patch around Lokhandwala, which also means that focus should be on protection of the mangrove forest in the area."
LOCA posted a video of the flamingos on its Instagram page, and the post states that lesser flamingos in large numbers were spotted at Mogara Nullah near Lokhandwala, Andheri West.
"There are a total of six species of flamingos in the world; two are found in India: the tallest of them, the greater flamingo (Phoenicopterus roseus), and the smallest, the lesser flamingo (Phoeniconaias minor). Nearly 90 per cent of the flamingo population that comes to the city consists of the latter species, while the rest are greater flamingos. Greater flamingos are tall, with black-tipped, light pinkish beaks, yellowish eyes, and pinkish-white bodies. Their neck is S-shaped. The lesser flamingos are comparatively smaller and pinker, with dark beaks and red eyes. Their neck is inverted or J-shaped," the post reads.
Thousands of flamingos usually migrate to Mumbai between November and December and camp in the city till May-June. Between December and January it is usually considered a peak period to spot the flamingos in the parts of state.
Flamingos usually visit the wetlands of the Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR) in November, mostly for feeding purposes, from breeding sites in the Gujarat region as well as Iran. Their migration starts after the monsoon, when water-filled regions begin drying up. However, owing to the good availability of water over the past few years through the winter, arrivals have been delayed.
The places where Mumbaikars can see them in abundance are Thane Creek, Airoli, Mahul, and Sewri.
Since 1994, Thane Creek has been attracting flamingos in large numbers. These elegant birds and their chicks descend here and occupy mudflats bordering mangroves until May, after which most migrate to Bhuj, Gujarat, for breeding, leaving behind a small resident population.
