This unusual image of a Greater Flamingo chick on the back of its mother (?) was taken by me on 22 January in Dholpur, Rajasthan, at the Hussain Sagar water body. The waterbody derives its name from Hussain Pur, a nearby village, and is fed by rain water. Even though there is anthropogenic disturbance at this site — buffaloes enter the water and people wash their clothes here everyday — a small group of Greater Flamingos have been at the water body for over two months. I have never before seen this behaviour by a chick or an adult!
While Flamingos normally prefer brackish water, their presence at this waterbody has delighted birdwatchers. Apart from the nearby Chambal, Flamingos have never been spotted in Dholpur before. This just shows how urgent it is to protect our waterbodies, which provide refuge to so many birds, and also give us new insights into bird behaviour.
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While flamingos normally prefer brackish water, their presence at this waterbody has delighted birdwatchers. Apart from the nearby Chambal, flamingos have never been spotted in Dholpur before.