10 January,2026 08:50 AM IST | Mumbai | Ranjeet Jadhav
Flamingos feed along the mangrove-lined wetlands of Mumbai’s eastern suburbs, weeks behind their usual migration schedule. Pics/Raj Jadhav
Birdwatchers in Mumbai finally have reason to celebrate as flamingos have begun arriving in the city after a delayed migration. Experts say more flocks are expected over the next one to two weeks. The late arrival has been linked to a prolonged monsoon, extended post-monsoon showers, and stressed wetland conditions.
Last year, flamingos had started arriving as early as December. Flamingos usually visit the wetlands of the Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR) between November and May, mainly for feeding, after migrating from breeding grounds in Gujarat and Iran.
Their movement typically begins once monsoon waters recede and wetlands start drying. However, in recent years, sustained water levels through winter have pushed their arrival further into the season.
Every year, thousands of flamingos arrive in and around Mumbai, with Thane Creek, Airoli, Mahul, and Sewri emerging as major hotspots.
Since 1994, Thane Creek has attracted large numbers of flamingos. By November, these birds and their chicks usually settle on the mangrove-lined mudflats and stay until May.
Most then migrate to Bhuj in Gujarat for breeding, leaving behind a small resident population.
Nearly 90 per cent of the flamingos that visit the city are lesser flamingos, while the remaining are greater flamingos.
Of the six flamingo species found worldwide, two are seen in India: the Greater Flamingo (Phoenicopterus roseus), the tallest species, and the Lesser Flamingo (Phoeniconaias minor), the smallest.
Greater flamingos are taller with light pink bodies, black-tipped pale beaks, yellowish eyes and a distinctive S-shaped neck. Lesser flamingos are smaller, deeper pink in colour, with dark beaks, red eyes and a J-shaped neck.
Naturalist and wildlife photographer Yogesh Patel said the delayed arrival and fluctuating numbers are linked to changing weather patterns and declining wetland health.
"Prolonged monsoon and post-monsoon rains kept mangroves and mudflats flooded. Disrupted wind patterns affected migration timing, while altered water quality, blocked tidal flow and reduced salinity impacted food availability. Growing habitat degradation and pollution are further shrinking suitable wetland spaces for flamingos," he said.
Naturalist and wildlife photographer Mahesh Yadav said heavy rainfall continued well into late October and early November in both the breeding grounds, such as the Rann of Kutch, and arrival points in Mumbai.
"Flamingos are waders that need shallow water to feed. Excessive rain keeps wetlands too deep and also lowers salinity, affecting the growth of blue-green algae they feed on. At the same time, favourable conditions at places like Sambhar Lake in Rajasthan meant food remained available elsewhere, reducing the urgency to migrate early. The birds are waiting for Mumbai's water levels to drop and salinity to rise before arriving in large numbers," he said.
