Why Flamingos Choose Tamil Nadu For Breeding During Winters – News18
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Most species travel from northern breeding grounds to southern wintering areas.
Thoothukudi’s proximity to the seashore is a sanctuary for these birds.
Bird migration is a fascinating phenomenon that highlights the adaptability and resilience of birds in seeking better environmental conditions. Like humans who travel for leisure or purpose, birds traverse vast distances, crossing continents, to feed, breed and raise their young. This age-old natural behaviour predates human exploration of such routes.
Migratory birds embark on remarkable journeys, often covering thousands of kilometres. They primarily migrate to escape harsh climatic conditions, find food and raise their offspring in favourable habitats. Most species travel from northern breeding grounds to southern wintering areas. Some, like those breeding in Africa, migrate horizontally to northern coastal regions to enjoy milder winters. Others shift between lowlands during winter and mountains in summer.
An intriguing example is the yellow-nosed flamingos from Australia that migrate to Tamil Nadu’s Thoothukudi district. These birds arrive annually between December and April to breed, choosing the Alayathi Forest near Tuticorin Beach Road as their nesting ground. Here, they lay eggs, nurture their chicks and return to their native habitat after the young are ready.
The migration of these flamingos is driven by the extreme heat of their homeland. They arrive in coastal India between August and October when water levels in salt pans are low, making food readily accessible to them. The district’s brackish water bodies and salt pans are quite rich in crabs, shrimp, insects, worms and tubers, offering an ideal feeding environment. This abundance attracts thousands of flamingos, who find these conditions conducive to thriving during their stay.
Thoothukudi’s proximity to the seashore and its unique ecological setup continues to serve as a sanctuary for these magnificent birds, underscoring the importance of preserving such habitats for migratory species. The people passing by the road are eagerly watching and enjoying the flock of birds that are staying in the trees near Beech Road.
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