Bird Species Diversity in Delhi Surges with Over 168 Species Recorded

Over 168 bird species have been recorded in the Capital between January 1 and 20, featuring 361 checklists gathered by birders as part of the Delhi Bird Atlas—a detailed guide with bird species in Delhi, their geographical distribution, and habitat that is being collated this year.

The month-long survey, which covers 10% of Delhi’s geographical area, aims to collect 580 checklists by the end of January. There is a proposal for the second survey in the summer months, July, for which the printed Atlas is due to be out in December. The survey fills in important details for biodiversity and awareness of how important it is to preserve natural habitats in Delhi.

Grey-Headed Canary-Flycatcher-Ultramarine Flycatcher

The survey has revealed some really rare bird species such as the grey-headed canary flycatcher and the ultramarine flycatcher, spotted together in Delhi Cantt, that have made birdwatchers sit up and take notice as it is quite a rare affair to spot them in urban spaces. The fact, that the House Sparrow, the state bird of Delhi, is found in 57 checklists indicates that even with all the pressures of urbanization, the bird survives in the city.

According to Pankaj Gupta, one of the lead organizers of the count, some 15 percent of the checklists had the house sparrow, which is a bright sign for the species. “The sighting of both the grey-headed canary flycatcher and ultramarine flycatcher on the same tree in Delhi Cantt is unusual. The number of house sparrow sightings is also a good sign, showing that some bird species are managing to adapt to urban environments,” said Gupta.

Open Spaces of Delhi Are Seen in Plenty Even

Gupta reported that 28 checklists documented the European starling, a bird species that prospers in open spaces. That is one of the reasons why Delhi still had considerable open spaces and fields in plenty; it reflects the survival of different bird species. There are some more species like desert wheatear seen inside northwest Delhi, noting the significance of the remaining natural spaces of Delhi.

The grey-headed canary flycatcher was even spotted in the dense, urban environment of Chandni Chowk, a place not typically known for such species. Gupta pointed out that the ability to spot such birds in densely populated areas is a good sign for the city’s biodiversity.

Detailed Survey Methodology and Coverage

The bird count is a very systematic and detailed count where the Delhi region is divided into 6.6 square kilometer units, further divided into smaller sub-cells of 1.1 square kilometers. 145 sub-cells are covered by the birders in this count. Each cell is assessed four times on average, lasting 15 minutes per assessment.

Each checklist is uploaded to the eBird portal, allowing birders to track species sightings in real time. The data from these checklists will provide valuable insights into bird distribution and habitat preferences across Delhi.

Birdwatching Insights from Various Areas in Delhi

The surveyor from the Najafgarh region, Mohit Mehta, mentioned that the spotted dove was spotted in the area, which is not very common in the zone. He also stated that a lot of grasslands have been converted into agricultural land or have become construction sites in recent years due to urbanization. Nonetheless, Mehta’s team could record as many as 25 different species in some areas, proving that even smaller habitats can ensure varied bird life.

Sohail Madan, an ecologist, reported interesting observations while conducting surveys in southern Delhi, both Asola Bhatti Wildlife Sanctuary and Tilpath Valley. Oriental honey buzzards were present abundantly at every southern ridge cell and migrants like Hume’s warbler in gardens as well as in forested areas. However, Madan also highlights that pigeons still dominate cities such as RK Puram.

Future of Birdwatching in Delhi

The findings of the Delhi Bird Atlas highlight the rich diversity of bird species in Delhi and the need to preserve its natural habitats. As more data is collected and analyzed, the project will deepen understanding of the city’s bird life and help conservationists and environmentalists develop strategies to protect Delhi’s avian population in the long term.