Distribution and demographic studies of greater flamingos (Phoenicopterus roseus) in District Gurugram of Haryana

Greater Flamingos are long-legged water-wading birds of the Phoenicopteridae family. The Greater Flamingo is the largest, whitish, and are most widespread among all the flamingo species. The aim of the present study was to determine the distribution pattern of greater Flamingos at few selected sites of district Gurugram, Haryana. The field study was conducted monthly during a period of the fifteen months from July 2018 to December 2020. The Nikon 10 X 50 field binocular was used for observations. The point count scan sampling method has been used to count Flamingos, A total of 10651 individuals of Greater Flamingos were counted, and such a large number had not previously been recorded. The largest proportion of Greater Flamingos was reported at Najafgarh Drain (92 %).Finding of present study revealed that Najafgarh Drain is a very significant Flamingo habitat. The establishment of the Najafgarh Drain as a Flamingo Park could help protect the population of Greater Flamingos and other water birdsin this area.This study establishes a baseline for future ecological research in these areas.