WATERBIRDS

The open water bodies, mangrove creeks, estuaries, and coastal lagoons of the Indus Delta support a diverse and visually remarkable assemblage of waterbirds. From large flamingo congregations and flocks of cormorants to globally threatened Dalmatian Pelicans, this group reflects the richness and productivity of the delta’s aquatic ecosystems. Thirteen species have been confirmed through monitoring, including two Near Threatened species whose presence highlights the international conservation importance of the site.

Steppe Eagle in the Indus Delta Near Threatened

Dalmatian Pelican

Pelecanus crispus

Habitat Large open water bodies, coastal lagoons, estuaries, and mangrove-fringed bays.
Diet Fish caught in cooperative group fishing bouts, takes a wide variety of fish species.
Steppe Eagle in the Indus Delta Near Threatened

Lesser Flamingo

Phoeniconaias minor

Habitat Saline lagoons, coastal mudflats, saltpans, and shallow brackish water bodies.
Diet Cyanobacteria, algae, and microscopic organisms filtered from shallow water through a specialised inverted bill.
Steppe Eagle in the Indus Delta Least Concern

Common Shelduck

Tadorna tadorna

Habitat Coastal mudflats, saltmarshes, sandy estuaries, and shallow brackish lagoons.
Diet Small mollusks, crustaceans, invertebrates, and algae filtered from wet mud and shallow water.
Steppe Eagle in the Indus Delta Least Concern

Eurasian Spoonbill

Platalea leucorodia

Habitat Shallow estuarine channels, mangrove creek margins, saltmarshes, and coastal lagoons.
Diet Small fish, crustaceans, aquatic invertebrates, and frogs swept using a distinctive side-to-side bill motion.
Steppe Eagle in the Indus Delta Least Concern

Eurasian Wigeon

Mareca penelope

Habitat Shallow coastal lagoons, mangrove-edged wetlands, estuarine shores, and flooded grasslands.
Diet Aquatic plant matter, grasses, algae, and occasionally invertebrates grazed from wet vegetation or open water.
Steppe Eagle in the Indus Delta Least Concern

Glossy Ibis

Plegadis falcinellus

Habitat Shallow freshwater and brackish wetlands, mangrove edges, flooded grasslands, and estuarine mudflats.
Diet Aquatic insects, crayfish, frogs, small fish, and invertebrates probed from soft mud. .
Steppe Eagle in the Indus Delta Least Concern

Great Cormorant

Phalacrocorax carbo

Habitat Coastal waters, mangrove creeks, estuaries, and large open wetlands.
Diet Fish of various species caught by deep pursuit diving; can dive to several metres depth.
Steppe Eagle in the Indus Delta Least Concern

Great White Pelican

Pelecanus onocrotalus

Habitat Large open water bodies, coastal lagoons, estuaries, and mangrove-lined bays.
Diet Fish caught cooperatively by groups driving shoals into shallow water.
Steppe Eagle in the Indus Delta Least Concern

Greater Flamingo

Phoenicopterus roseus

Habitat Coastal lagoons, saline mudflats, estuarine shallows, and large open saltpans.
Diet Invertebrates, algae, small crustaceans, and diatoms filtered from saline water and soft mud.
Steppe Eagle in the Indus Delta Least Concern

Green-winged Teal

Anas carolinensis

Habitat Shallow freshwater marshes, coastal lagoons, mangrove edges, and estuarine shallows.
Diet Seeds, aquatic plant matter, invertebrates, and small mollusks filtered from the water surface.
Steppe Eagle in the Indus Delta Least Concern

Little Cormorant

Microcarbo niger

Habitat Mangrove-lined creeks, estuarine channels, freshwater wetlands, and shallow coastal water bodies.
Diet Small fish caught by pursuit diving; a highly efficient underwater hunter.
Steppe Eagle in the Indus Delta Least Concern

Mallard

Anas platyrhynchos

Habitat Shallow freshwater wetlands, mangrove creek edges, coastal lagoons, and flooded agricultural margins.
Diet Aquatic plants, seeds, grains, invertebrates, and small amphibians dabbled from the water surface.
Steppe Eagle in the Indus Delta Least Concern

Northern Shoveler

Spatula clypeata

Habitat Shallow wetlands, coastal lagoons, flooded mudflats, and estuarine edges with calm water.
Diet Aquatic invertebrates, zooplankton, algae, and plant matter filtered through comb-like lamellae in the spatula-shaped bill.