MUMBAI: A rare seabird, Masked Booby, was found in a disoriented stated at Chakala, Andheri (east) by some citizens who then rescued it and handed it to a local veterinarian in Chembur.
The rescued bird is a juvenile, and these species are not really found in and around this coast.
"The bird is responding well to treatment and eating fish. We will release it in the deep sea later next week, when the monsoon fury slows down a bit,'' said the vet, Dr Rina Dev.
The scientific name of Masked booby is Sula dactylatra. The bird came in dehydrated and hypothermic, probably due to starvation and being out in the rains.
There birds are not native to India, juvenile boobys since they don't have to breed wander far off, from places like Australia, Africa coast of Madagascar and some islands in the Indian ocean. Once the strong winds and rains settle down he will be released off the coast of Mumbai hoping he finds his way back home and does not get blown ashore by the strong winds.
Dr Dev had also referred the case to a bird expert from Bombay Natural History Society.
Ref: http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/mumbai/Rare-sea-bird-gets-lost-in-Mumbais-Andheri-rescued/articleshow/47793533.cms