Bird watchers in Chennai recently observed the rare sighting of a slender-billed gull at the Pallikaranai Marshland.

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Bird watchers in Chennai recently observed the rare sighting of a slender-billed gull at the Pallikaranai Marshland.

About Slender-Billed Gull

• Size & Description - The slender-billed gull is a medium-sized seabird, measuring between 37 to 40 cm in length and with a wingspan ranging from 90 to 102 cm. It has a pale grey body, white head and chest, and black tips on the primary wing feathers. The bird has a long, tapered head with a dark red bill and appears to have a long neck. Its legs are dark red, and the iris is yellow.

• Scientific Name - Chroicocephalus genei

• Distribution - This gull species breeds locally around the Mediterranean and parts of the northwestern Indian Ocean (including Pakistan), particularly on islands and coastal lagoons. It is mostly migratory, wintering in southern regions such as North Africa and India, though some birds have been known to travel as far as Western Europe. In India, it is commonly seen along the western coast, especially in the wetlands of northern India.

• Diet - About half of its diet consists of fish, which it catches by flying just above the water's surface and diving to capture prey.

• Conservation Status - According to the IUCN Red List, the slender-billed gull is classified as Least Concern.

About Pallikaranai Marshland

• Location - Situated approximately 20 km south of Chennai, Tamil Nadu, Pallikaranai Marshland is a freshwater marsh with parts that are saline. It serves as a natural buffer against flooding for the Chennai and Chengalpattu regions.

• Wetland System - The marsh encompasses 65 wetlands, connected through two main outlets – Okkiyam Madavu and Kovalam Creek, which ultimately drain into the Bay of Bengal. The eastern boundary of the marsh is bordered by the Buckingham Canal.

• Geography - Some areas of the marsh are significantly below the mean sea level, creating low-lying basins.

• Ecological Importance - Recognized as one of India's Ramsar sites, Pallikaranai Marshland plays a crucial role in biodiversity conservation and environmental protection.

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