Dying Wetlands
Aishwarya Sridhar
Hundreds of Flamingoes congregate at a wetland in the heart of Navi Mumbai city, which are one of the last remaining habitats for these birds. The image was clicked using a drone, as placing the camera on ground level wasn’t doing justice to the number of birds in the wetland. Flamingos devote considerable time to collective displays before, during, and after breeding. Their courtship displays are performed in groups. To feel comfortable enough to breed, as many birds as possible need to be in the mood and at once. Flamingos have several moves they display to attract a mate, and they do them together, in groups as if they are marching. Lesser flamingos courtship dance ritual have synchronized steps and they appear to move as one, as if on a conveyor belt. The image captures this behaviour as a train of flamingoes move across the wetland.
