Population Structure and Dynamics of Greater Flamingos (Phoenicopterus roseus) in Selected Sites of Haryana, India

Population status and dynamics of Greater Flamingos were studied at selected wetlands in Gurugram and Rewari districts of Haryana State during 63 monthly periodic visits between July, 2019 and June, 2021. The population estimation of Greater Flamingo was accounted using the point count method at various sites during the field survey. The population status of flamingos in the area, as well as their habitat preferences, is still poorly known. Hence, the purposes of the present study were to assess the population structure and dynamics of the Greater Flamingo in the study area. A maximum of 1350 individuals of flamingo were counted at the Najafgarh Jheel sites consisting of 13 flocks with flock sizes ranging 29 to 211 individuals per sighting. The overall mean flock size of Greater Flamingos was 79.34 ± 04.80 SE. The age composition of flamingo populations indicates the presence of both adult and sub-adult groups within the flock. Najafgarh Jheel experienced an increase in adult flamingos from 58.6 to 73.2% and a decrease in sub-adults from 41.3 to 26.7%, with total numbers decreasing from 7175 to 4968. There were more flamingos recorded in the first year of study (July, 2019 to March, 2020) as compared to the second year of study (July, 2020 to June, 2021). Overall, data from a two-year study demonstrate that the majority of the Greater Flamingo population is found in Najafgarh Jheel. However, increased fishing activity adversely affects the population of flamingos in Najafgarh Jheel. During the second year of study road construction activities are at their peak which are major disturbances, due to which a huge decline is observed in the flamingo’s population at Basai Wetland. The continuous monitoring of population distribution of Greater Flamingos helps in planning and establishment of appropriate conservation measures for this species.