Over 1,000 flamingoes visit Bhandup

Friday, July 17, 2009

Flamingoes are tall, delightful migratory birds which come to our city from the Rann of Kutch in Gujarat somewhere in the month of October and remain here till July.

They can be spotted near the Water Filtration Plant in Bhandup.In the words of S Subramanian from PAWS (Plant and Animals Welfare Society) Mumbai, a Bhandup based animal welfare organisation, "Flamingoes can be spotted in areas like Sewri and Thane creek but few know about the mangroves off Kanjurmarg which attract the flamingoes.

This is because the place is not easily accessible. As the area is a private property, not many visitors come here to disturb the birds."

Adding further he stated, "The pink colour in their plumage is due to 'Beta Carotne' rich food which they consume in the form of blue green algae and shrimps. In zoos, the flamingo food is often mixed with carrots. As the breeding season approaches, adult flamingoes are adorned with rich pink colour all over the body with wings and legs getting almost scarlet.”

Describing the sight of the birds leaving, he said, “Before leaving the shores of Mumbai, they perform a spectacular display by marching together which resembles flames rising from water. We can call it the 'flame dance'. It is an amazing experience to watch birds, twisting and turning their necks or opening their wings in between."

The spectacular 'flame dance' was witnessed by our lensman, thus signalling the flight of these birds from our city to their breeding grounds in a short time.