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Delhi: World's 2nd Richest Capital for Birds
6 Jun
Summary
- Delhi hosts 471 bird species, second globally among capitals.
- Atlas reveals 108 invertebrate feeders, 9 fruit/nectar feeders.
- Endangered Black-bellied Tern found among conservation concerns.
New Delhi has been identified as the world's second-richest capital for avian diversity, trailing only Nairobi. This remarkable finding comes from the city's inaugural comprehensive Delhi Bird Atlas, which cataloged 471 distinct bird species.
The atlas, a citizen science initiative by the Delhi Forest Department and Bird Count India, mapped species distribution. Preliminary results from the first year of a two-year survey (beginning January 2025) revealed that 108 species primarily feed on invertebrates, while only nine are fruit and nectar feeders.
Conservation concerns are highlighted by the atlas, which recorded species such as the Endangered Black-bellied Tern and Near Threatened Asian Woolly-necked Stork. Delhi's unique geography, including the Aravalli hills and Yamuna floodplains, contributes to its rich birdlife.
This ongoing project aims to establish a scientific baseline for monitoring bird populations and ecological changes. Future findings from the second year of surveys are expected to provide a more complete understanding of the capital's avian inhabitants.
