Greater Flamingo 

News: Tamil Nadu has officially declared the establishment of the Greater Flamingo Sanctuary at Dhanushkodi, aiming to preserve a critical stopover point along the Central Asian Flyway for thousands of migratory wetland birds. Greater Flamingo 

About Greater Flamingo 

• It is the largest among flamingo species.
• They are commonly found in warm, aquatic habitats across multiple continents, including the coastal areas of India and Pakistan in Asia, as well as regions in Central and South America, the Caribbean, and Southern Europe.
• Features:
  • While this species exhibits significant dispersal ability during the non-breeding season, it shows strong philopatry—tending to return to or stay near the same site.
  • It is known for its pinkish-white feathers, long pink legs, and a curved pink bill with a black tip. Its color comes from carotenoid-rich food like shrimps and algae.
• The Kachchh Desert Wildlife Sanctuary, located in the Great Rann of Kachchh (GRK) in Gujarat, stands out as a unique Protected Area. It hosts South Asia’s only known breeding site for the Greater Flamingo, which has earned it international recognition as the “Flamingo City.”
• Conservation Status: Classified as ‘Least Concern’ by IUCN.