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The Point Calimere Sanctuary includes one of the largest water bodies and major wintering ground for water birds in southern India. The forests of Point Calimere are rich in resident and migratory species of forest birds. A total of 257 species of birds have been recorded from the Point Calimere Bird Sanctuary of which 119 are water birds and 138 forest birds.
Some of the major waterbird species found in The Point Calimere Bird Sanctuary are the Greater Flamingo and The Lesser Flamingo, Spot - Billed Pelican, Spoonbilled Sandpiper, Asian Dowitcher, Whitebellied Seaeagle, Brahminy kite and Osprey. Landbirds include paradise Flycatcher, Indian Pitta, Rosy Starling, Blyth Reed Warbler, Crested Serpent Eagle and Brown Shrike
Greater flamingo is primarily associated as a winter guest and local inhabitant of India. it is found in shallow lakes, mudflats and salt plains of India, like in in Point Calimere Bird Sanctuary.
Identification
It is about 130 cm's in height with a wingspan of about 55 inches. They are large having long legs with a wader and a long neck. Adult birds have a dark pink plumage and hooked, pink bill with a black tip. babies have pale pink and gray plumage and hooked, light bill with a black tip.
Flycatcher
Flycatcher is grey-brown in colour with an off-white breast, streaked with the color gray. They like to perch conspicuously and watch for passing insects, flying out to snap them up, before returning to the perch. A recent dramatic population decline of Flycatchers in Point Calimere has put it in endangered list.
They prefer natural habitats, particularly open woodland and swamps with clearings and perches, but can adapt well to gardens and parks, which provide feeding opportunities like the marine Point Calimere rich.
The wetland of the sanctuary supports the vulnerable species Spoonbill Sandpiper Eurynorhynchus pygmaeus and Grey pelican Pelecanus Philippensis.
It supports about 30,000 flamingos, 200-300 endangered Grey Pelican the endangered Asian Dowitcher the rare Spoonbill Sandpiper and tens of thousands of other water birds. A total of 119 water bird species have been recorded from the area.
The wetland is the breeding ground or nursery for many species of marine fishes, which are vital to the fisheries of the coast and act as the fodder for the various types of birds. The common species are prawns, crabs and fishes.
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