Flamingos arrive at the shorelines of Mumbai in November and become the city’s residents till May. The courtship display marks the culmination of their migration phase in the city. Once monsoon begins, these pink pilgrims fly back to their breeding grounds in Rann of Kutch, Gujarat, and return in winter with more chicks. Mid-day.com spoke to a city-based photographer Vidyasagar Hariharan who camouflages in nature to study their courtship dance
Updated On: 2023-05-13 11:48 AM IST
Compiled by : Ainie Rizvi
Flamingos are serially monogamous. Through their courtship dance, they select a mate and bond for life. Their enduring partnership includes building nests together and raising chicks every year. A Flamingo’s life span ranges between 30-35 years. Photo Courtesy: Vidyasagar Hariharan
May is a crucial month for Flamingos as they leave Mumbai for breeding at Rann of Kutch till November. With the onset of the winter season, they arrive in Mumbai with more juveniles and life comes to a full circle. Photo Courtesy: Vidyasagar Hariharan
Unlike the usual norms of male courtship, both male and female Flamingos perform a romantic dance to woo their potential mates. Hariharan shares that the courtship dance captured at T.S. Chanakya is orchestrated by the Lesser Flamingo specie. Photo Courtesy: Vidyasagar Hariharan
With a knack for theatrics, they display collective postures and orchestrated moves like Head-Flag, Wing-Salute, Twist-Preen, and more. Photo Courtesy: Vidyasagar Hariharan
A social breed, flamingos can be spotted synchronising a ritual dance in the marshy lands. While some birds dance, many of them sleep. The ones that do not participate have either already found a mate or are not looking for one. Photo Courtesy: Vidyasagar Hariharan
Unlike what it looks like, these are Greater Flamingos fighting for food or to make way ahead while crossing paths. Photo Courtesy: Vidyasagar Hariharan
