Lesser Flamingo

About Lesser Flamingo: hallux, : 

• It is the smallest of all flamingos but has the largest population.
• It possesses the "hallux" or hind toe that some other flamingos do not have.
• Males are a little taller than females.
• Habitat: It inhabits coastal and inland wetlands.
• Geographical distribution: Africa, Asia continents and in that especially Sub-Saharan Africa, South Asia, North Africa
• They mostly eat blue-green algae but occasionally will take crustaceans and small insects.
• It is  serially monogamous, meaning they form pairs that remain together while they are raising the young
• Conservation status
  • IUCN: Near Threatened

Key Facts about the Pulicat Lake

• It is the second-largest brackish water lake in the country.
• It lies at the border of the states of Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu. (Majorly lies in Andhra Pradesh)
• The long and narrow Sriharikota Island, which separates Pulicat Lake from the Bay of Bengal, 
• It is popular as a flamingo-watching site and for water activities.
• Both the South West and North-East monsoons provide rain to the area where Pulicat Lake is located

 

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Q1) What are Blue-green algae?

Blue-green algae are a type of bacteria that can be found in both marine and freshwater environments. They are photosynthetic and often form visible colonies or blooms that can appear green, blue-green, or red.

Source: A flamboyance of lesser flamingos have arrived at Chennai’s Pulicat