Last month, social media turned pink with videos of flamingos that migrated to Navi Mumbai in record numbers. TIME magazine quoted Deepak Apte, the director of the Bombay Natural History Society (BNHS) saying that the lockdown “is giving these birds peace for roosting, no disturbance in their attempt to obtain food and overall encouraging habitat.”
Yesterday, Twitter user Surabhi Agarwal captured them getting into a formation from NRI Complex, Talawe wetlands, as Cyclone Nisarga made landfall. She suggested that they might be gathering close together to brace themselves against strong winds.
Flamingos of Talawe, Navi Mumbai signalling us about the incoming Cyclone Nisarga. And when the cyclonic winds come, they quickly unite and get into formations which help them withstand the winds. We humans do have much to learn from them! 🦩 #CycloneUpdate pic.twitter.com/wiyAg8pJws
— Surabhi Agarwal (@iamsur_abhi) June 3, 2020
While some people praised the beauty of nature and how much we could learn from the behaviours of birds and animals, others were sceptical about the claim that the formation was a signal before the cyclonic storm.
nature is biggest hub of knowledge.we should understand the language!!
— Sachin kumar (@Sachin9630) June 3, 2020
This is beautiful ❤️❤️
— Aarika Raina (@AarikaRaina) June 4, 2020
Wonderful
— Dr Surendra Pathak (@drsurendrpathak) June 3, 2020
Very nicely clicked ma'am! Awesome!!
— Vishal Jambhale (@VishalJambhale4) June 3, 2020
One user suggested it might be a dance ritual related to breeding. According to The Guardian, flocking behaviour of flamingos might not have any special meaning but “simply the best way to avoid predators and to find the best place to feed.”
Hey Yash. Thanks for sharing. With the cyclonic winds and their dance, it almost seemed like a signal. 🙂 I didn’t mean it literally, was eager to share it. Although I heard their formations are to withstand the strong winds.
— Surabhi Agarwal (@iamsur_abhi) June 3, 2020
The reason behind the flocking might not be known but the charm and allure of these pink beauties in the snippet is undeniable.