Why in news
The Red-breasted Flycatcher has been spotted at Ameenpur Lake in Hyderabad, during its migratory journey from Eastern Europe to South Asia.
The lake, once known for hosting migratory birds like flamingos, is being revitalized by the Hyderabad Disaster Response and Asset Protecting Agency (HYDRAA).
Red-breasted Flycatcher
Scientific name: Ficedula parva.
It is a small (11-12 cm) passerine bird of the Old World Flycatcher family.
It can be found occasionally feeding on figs (banyan, peepal) in urban gardens.
Males have a reddish-orange throat that extends till the upper breast, whereas the females are overall brown.
It generally migrates from Eastern Europe to escape the harsh winter there and enjoy the moderate temperatures with abundance of food in South Asia.
The bird breeds from spring to summer, in the deciduous mixed forests of Eastern Europe and across Central Asia.
In winter months (September to March mostly), it migrates to forests, woodlands, orchards, parks, and roadside trees of the Indian Subcontinent.
IUCN Conservation status: Least Concern
Ameenpur Lake
It is a small lake in the Sangareddy district of Telangana, located on the outskirts of Hyderabad.
It is the first body of water in India to be designated as a Biodiversity Heritage Site, as well as the first biodiversity site to be approved in an urban area.
The lake is man-made and was reportedly built over 300 years ago during the reign of Ibrahim Qutb Shah (1550–1580 AD).
Flamingoes are the most common birds found here.
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