Abstract
Greater Flamingos are the largest and most widespread, among other species of Phoenicopteridae. This study documents the population structure and conservation threats affecting the population and habitat of the flamingos at Najafgarh Jheel Bird Sanctuary and Basai wetland in Haryana, India. The study areas were surveyed monthly between May 2019 to February 2020 at regular intervals. A Nikon 8 X 40 field binoculars and a Nikon SX60 camera were used to observe flocks of P. roseus. A total of 65 flocks of flamingo were observed, and 6,768 individuals were counted using point counts method. Najafgarh Jheel Bird Sanctuary holds a major proportion of their population comprising about 91.78 % and Basai wetland holds about 8.21 % of their population, while 52.46 % of the total population were classified as adults, and 47.53 % were juveniles (sub-adults). Habitat fragmentation resulting from construction of roads is one of the major threats, while overgrowth of water hyacinth, cattle grazing and fishing activities at Basai Wetland, adversely affected the flamingos. At the Najafgarh Jheel, cattle grazing was considered to be the major threat, followed by the overgrown water hyacinth, fishing activities and collision with high tension power lines.
Highlights
Flamingos Phoenicopterus roseus are the largest, and most common among all the species of flamingos
Distribution of Greater flamingos is associated with their habitat as these birds are habitat specialists and depend thoroughly on wetlands as they roost, feed, and nest in an aquatic habitat
It is important to monitor flamingo population and how they adapt to current conservation threats, to find out strategies for ensuring their survival
Summary
Flamingos Phoenicopterus roseus are the largest, and most common among all the species of flamingos. Food and suitable habitat are key factors affecting its distribution (Ali 1987; Jenkin 1957). The Greater Flamingos primarily feed on phytoplankton, zooplankton, crustaceans, molluscs, sedge seeds and the remains of higher plants (Ali 1987; Tere 2005). Availability of food, water quality, depth, and influence of predator are some important factors that influence the population and distribution of waterbirds (Arengo & Baldassarre 1995; Baldassarre & Arengo 2000; Pirela 2000; Tuite 2000). Greater Flamingos are found to feed, roost, and nest in the wetlands, any change or loss in their habitat is considered a significant threat. The present study was conducted to assess the population structure and to document conservation threats at Basai wetland and Najafgarh Jheel Bird Sanctuary, which are declared Important Bird Areas
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