Flamingos Return to Kulhudhuffushi Mangroves with North-East Monsoon

MV+ News Desk | January 5, 2025
Photo: Nawaz Asad / Eyewell Portrait

Kulhudhuffushi’s mangroves have once again welcomed migratory flamingos with the onset of the northeast monsoon.  

The migratory birds have become an annual sight in recent years, frequenting select northern islands across the Maldives around the start of the northeast monsoon in December and January. In addition to Kulhudhuffushi, Shaviyani Atoll Funadhoo is another notable location where these flamingos are often observed, as the rare birds frequent islands with wetlands.  

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Residents of Kulhudhuffushi reportedly gathered near the mangroves to capture photographs of the visiting birds over the weekend. According to locals, five flamingos were spotted in the area early on Friday morning. Typically, the birds remain for about a week before continuing their migration.

Although flamingo visits have only gained media attention in recent years, they are not a new occurrence and are believed to have happened in the past. Reports indicate sightings of flamingos on islands such as Lhaviyani Maakoa in 2017 and Noonu Maalhendhoo around 2014. Lhaviyani Maakoa was designated a protected area in 2020, partly due to its significance as a habitat for migratory birds like flamingos.

Maldives is considered to be an important wintering ground for migratory birds of the Central Asian flyway. The annual visits of these elegant birds have generated significant interest among both residents and bird enthusiasts, adding a seasonal charm to the natural beauty of the northern islands.  

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