Population abundance of Greater Flamingo Phoenicopterus roseus (Aves: Phoenicopteridae) in district Gurugram of Haryana, India

Abstract

We quantified the population abundance of Greater Flamingo Phoenicopterus roseus in Najafgarh Drain (Jheel), Basai Wetland, and Sultanpur flats of district Gurugram, Haryana from October 2018 to December 2020. A total of 72 visits were made to the study sites. In this study, we explored the uses of an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) equipped with a 5-megapixel camera to census the population and distribution of Greater Flamingos. The Nikon 10 x 50 field binoculars were used for observations. A photographic record was taken using a Canon Powershot sx70hs camera. To estimate the population size, point count method was used and videos and image analysis were carried out for a more accurate count in densely packed flocks. The mean population of Greater Flamingos was 267 ± 47 observed throughout the study period from the three sites. For three years, the highest mean population of Greater Flamingos recorded was 745 ± 76 at Najafgarh Drain and the lowest was 19 ± 8 at Sultanpur Flats. The Greater Flamingos were found to be residents at Najafgarh Drain. At the Basai Wetland, two major human activities were the construction of highways along wetlands and wetland drainage have been observed that resulted in habitat fragmentation and shrinkage, which is responsible for the huge decline in their population. While at Najafgarh Jheel fishing activities and overgrowth of water hyacinth were a major threat that affect the Greater Flamingo population. The findings in this study will be  beneficial for the conservation efforts of the flamingos in this area.