Question

The breeding place of Flamingo (Hansawar) in India is
(a) Chilka Lake 
(b) Sambhar Lake
(c) Rann of Kutch
(d) Ghana Vihar 

Answer 1

Hint: The breeding place of flamingoes occurs in a place which is a large region of salt marshes spanning the Pakistan- India border. It is mostly found in Gujarat, India, and in some areas of Sindh, Pakistan. It is famous for its white salty desert sand and is known to be the world's largest salt desert.

Complete answer:
- Rann of Kutch, located in Gujarat, is also known as the City of Flamingo. It houses many beautiful flamingos of pink color. After every monsoon, these birds come here from Central Asia to build their nests, breed in shifts through the winter, and disappear in the summer. It is a major tourist attraction.
- Rann of Kutch includes a saline desert and is a place where thousands of flamingos (Phoenicopterus roseus) built its nest. It is the only place where flamingos congregate or gather daily for breeding.
- Flamingos or flamingoes belong to the family Phoenicopteridae and are a type of wading bird. Four different species of flamingo are spread throughout America, including the Caribbean, and two are native to Asia, Africa, and Europe.
- The flamingos live and eat characteristically in groups called flocks. Their large numbers cause some to look out for predators while the rest have their heads in the mud for feeding purposes. The male and female flamingos pair up and form strong bonds. Every pair is responsible for finding an appropriate place to build a nest, mate, and look after their eggs and offspring once they hatch from the eggs.
- The flamingoes mature when they are three years old.
- After pairing, the two parents play an equal part in the construction of the nest where the egg is laid. The nest protects the egg securely from being swept away by water and also provides a suitable place for the hatchlings to survive in. Normally the nest is aggressively defended because of the common conflicts.
- When the chick hatches, it is fed in the same way as other birds by putting food in its back throat. Also, flamingos produce bird milk which comes from the upper esophagus glands. The diet has immune properties and is high in fats and proteins.
- The chick can run around after about a week and can join its age group in their flocks. These groupings are important as they protect from predators. The communities are also important where they can find potential mating partners.
So, the correct answer is, ‘Rann of Kutch’.

Note: People have been feeding on flamingos and their eggs. Historically, humans used flamingo eggs as the primary source and delicacy of the food. Today flamingo eggs are taken from nests in some areas and sold on the markets. Flamingos feed in shallow water bodies and also use their large feet to move species present in deep water bodies. This activity potentially contributes to adequate oxygenation and mixing of organic material within these water bodies, which helps to prevent anoxic conditions.