Greater Flamingos Choose Thoothukudi: How Monsoon Rains Made Tamil Nadu A Bird Magnet

Thoothukudi’s salt pans aren’t just about salt this season, they’re hosting a full-fledged pink parade. Greater flamingos, with their elegant long necks, stilt-like pink legs, and flashes of scarlet and black, have arrived in huge numbers along Tamil Nadu’s coast. And they haven’t come alone — painted storks have also made a grand entrance, especially around White Lotus Pond in Srivaikuntam Kasba.

Flamingos Grace Tamil Nadu’s Coastline

But why did these pink-hued creatures choose Tamil Nadu as their summer escape? It’s simple: for food and peace. Thanks to solid monsoon rains this year, White Lotus Pond isn’t just a name; it’s full of water, fish, and insects and is basically a haven for birds. The brackish water bodies and salt pans around Thoothukudi are pulling in these visitors from as far as Africa, Southern Europe, and the Middle East. Imagine birds flying thousands of kilometres just to wade through a salty puddle in Tamil Nadu; this is truly magical!

The flamingos are here to relish on crabs, shrimp, tubers and worms. Add in the calm coastal environment, the relatively undisturbed spaces, and the right climate, and it’s no surprise this patch of Tamil Nadu feels like a five-star bird resort.

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Flamingo’s Migration Trail

But this isn’t just a one-location story. Across India, flamingos seem to be appearing in places you wouldn’t always expect. Rajasthan’s Sambhar Lake, for instance, usually floods with flamingos in winter. During the summer season, flocks arrive in Tamil Nadu, splashing around and making the state’s scenes vibrant.

Maharashtra is under their spell too. Navi Mumbai’s wetlands transform every year into a gorgeous landscape covered in thousands of flamingos. In March, the Thane Creek Flamingo Sanctuary once again turned into what locals call a “pink wonderland.” Places like Thoothukudi, Sambhar, and Thane Creek are critical habitats holding up the balance between humans and nature.

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One thing’s for sure right now, Tamil Nadu’s coast isn’t just about seafood and sunsets. It’s about pink-legged birds, shallow waters shimmering with wings, and a quiet reminder that migration isn’t just movement but a survival in this season. 

Cover Image Courtesy: frankmichler/CanvaPro