Mumbai 36 flamingos died after being hit by a flight in Ghatkopar on Monday night. It has been reported that Emirates flight EK 508 collided with a flock of birds at 9.18 pm on Monday night. The plane also suffered minor damage due to the collision, but it was landed safely at Mumbai airport. During the search late on Monday night, the bodies of about 29 flamingos were recovered. At the same time, 5 dead bodies were found on Tuesday morning. Let us tell you that migratory birds arrive in the wetlands along the Mumbai and Navi Mumbai coasts around December. They stay here with their herd till March-April.
The airport authority has confirmed that the flamingos collided with the Emirates flight. In such a situation, it is natural to raise the question that how high can flamingos fly? Which bird can fly to the highest height? What is the length and weight of a flamingo that it can damage a plane if it collides with it? In which part of the world is this bird originally found? According to the Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute (SCBI), the pink color of the flamingo is due to its diet. According to National Geographic, when flamingos are born, their feathers are white.
Feathers are pink because of food
According to SCBI, when flamingos start eating, the color of their white feathers starts changing. Flamingos’ diet consists of brine shrimp and algae. Both of these contain carotenoids. Carotenoids are natural pigments, which give red, yellow or orange color to many plants and algae. Let us tell you that tomatoes and carrots get their color due to this. Brine shrimp eat algae, which contain carotenoids. When flamingos eat brine shrimp and algae, they metabolize the natural pigment. This makes the color of their feathers pink.
How high do flamingos fly?
Flamingos can fly very fast and very high. Flamingos fly short distances at speeds of up to 35 miles per hour. According to the American Bird Conservancy, if flamingos have to travel long distances, they can fly at a speed of up to 40 miles per hour. Whereas, if we talk about height, flamingos can fly up to a height of 20 thousand feet. At the same time, some planes fly up to a height of 42 thousand feet to avoid turbulence. When planes land at airports near residential areas or flamingo habitats, there is a risk of collision with migratory birds.
What is the height and weight?
The legs of the flamingos with pink wings and feet are very thin. Their height ranges from 3 feet to a little more than 4 feet. The spread of both their wings is up to 5 feet. The weight of a male flamingo is up to 14 kg. Whereas, the weight of a female flamingo is up to 10 kg. Let us tell you that there are black feathers on the edge of the wings of the flamingos. There is also web on their feet to walk in shallow water. There is a distinctive black tip on the beak of the flamingo.
Where do flamingo birds come to India from?
Beautiful pink flamingos arrive in India every year with the onset of winter. These beautiful birds migrate to many countries including Afghanistan, Pakistan and Israel. All flamingos are found in tropical and sub-tropical regions. Chilean flamingo populations are found in central Peru, both coasts of South America, Argentina, Uruguay, Paraguay, Peru, Bolivia and southern Brazil. Although flamingos are native to Florida, they disappeared from here in the late 20th century. After 1925, people started colonies of flamingos in South Florida. This also included a breeding colony at Hialeah Park Race Track in the 1930s.
Which bird flies the highest?
Now the question arises that which bird flies the highest in the world? According to the world record, Ruppel’s Griffon Vulture can fly up to a height of 37,000 feet. It is considered to be the highest flying bird in the world. Let us tell you that Griffon Vulture is found in Central Africa. Apart from this, Eurasian crane i.e. a special species of heron can fly up to a height of 33,000 feet. At the same time, the blackbird bird of Tibet can fly up to a height of 16-20 thousand feet. At the same time, the Andean Condor, the longest flying bird in the world, can also fly up to 16,000 feet.
Tags: Bird Expert, Flight Ruckus, mumbai airport, Mumbai News
FIRST PUBLISHED: May 23, 2024, 08:31 IST