Archive · 15 Nov 2025
Where To See Flamingos In India: A Guide For Travelers
Imagine beautiful pink birds that fly all the way to India for the winter!
There are two kinds: the tall ones with a black-tipped beak called Greater Flamingos, and the smaller, brighter ones with darker beaks called Lesser Flamingos.
They love to visit big lakes and wetlands in places like Odisha, Gujarat, Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, and Maharashtra.
When they arrive, the water looks like it's covered in pink feathers!
People can go see them, sometimes even take boat rides to get closer.
These birds make India a magical place to see during the cooler months, and they usually leave when it starts getting warmer.
India is a winter destination for two species of flamingos: Greater and Lesser.
Greater Flamingos are tall and pale pink with a black-tipped bill, while Lesser Flamingos are compact and vividly colored with a darker bill.
Both species visit India annually between December and May.
Key locations for flamingo sightings include Chilika Lake (Odisha), Nalsarovar Bird Sanctuary (Gujarat), Pulicat Lake (Andhra Pradesh–Tamil Nadu), and Bhigwan (Maharashtra).
These wetlands offer opportunities for birdwatching, photography, and boat rides to observe the flamingos.
- Who
- Greater Flamingos and Lesser Flamingos
- What
- Migratory flamingos visit lakes and marshes in India during winter, forming large flocks.
- When
- Between December and May (November to March in some locations).
- Where
- Chilika Lake (Odisha), Nalsarovar Bird Sanctuary (Gujarat), Pulicat Lake (Andhra Pradesh–Tamil Nadu), and Bhigwan (Maharashtra).
- Why
- Flamingos migrate to these Indian wetlands during winter.
- Greater Flamingo
- Tall, pale-pink with a black bill tip. Visits India from December to May.
- Lesser Flamingo
- Compact, vividly colored with a darker, uniformly colored bill. Visits India from December to May.
- Chilika Lake
- Odisha. Large brackish water body, known for large flamingo colonies.
- Nalsarovar Bird Sanctuary
- Gujarat. Wetland with shallow lakes and mud islands, hosts both flamingo species.
- Pulicat Lake
- Andhra Pradesh–Tamil Nadu. Brackish waters attracting thousands of Greater Flamingos.
- Bhigwan
- Maharashtra. Located near Ujani Dam backwaters, known for elegant flamingo flocks.