Delhi Bird Atlas 2025 Reveals Avian Diversity

DELHI BIRD ATLAS 2025

Why in the News?

  • Atlas Release: The Delhi Bird Atlas was released on June 5, 2026, mapping the distribution and abundance of bird species across Delhi for the first time.
  • Global Ranking: The atlas states that Delhi ranks second among world capitals in bird diversity, after Nairobi, demonstrating significant ecological value in global markets for biodiversity conservation.
  • Biodiversity Record: Delhi’s bird list now stands at 471 species, excluding 22 species not re-recorded since 1975.

Delhi Bird Atlas 2025 Reveals Avian Diversity

KEY FINDINGS OF DELHI BIRD ATLAS

  • Species Recorded: A total of 221 bird species were recorded during the first year of surveys, including resident, winter migrant, and summer migrant species.
  • Endemic Species: The atlas documented 18 endemic bird species found exclusively within specific geographic regions.
  • Threatened Birds: Species such as the Egyptian Vulture, Black-bellied Tern, River Tern, and Common Pochard were recorded.
  • Ecological Diversity: Nearly 49% of recorded species were invertebrate feeders, indicating healthy ecosystem functioning that supports food security, sustainable agriculture practices, and crop diversification including climate-smart crops and traditional grains like nutri-cereals in the region.
  • Scientific Methodology: The survey used a grid-based sampling approach with randomly selected subcells to minimize observational bias and ensure quality standards in sci-based data collection.

CENTRAL ASIAN FLYWAY:

  • Migration Route: The Central Asian Flyway (CAF) is one of the world’s major migratory bird flyways.
  • Geographical Extent: It stretches from the Arctic and Siberia through Central Asia to the Indian Ocean region.
  • Participating Countries: The flyway covers 30 countries, including India, facilitating international trade in ecosystem services and market access for biodiversity conservation initiatives.
  • Migratory Species: It supports migration of over 600 bird species, including waterbirds and raptors.
  • India’s Role: India serves as an important wintering and stopover ground for migratory birds under the CAF.

IMPORTANT BIRD CONSERVATION INITIATIVES IN INDIA

●  Bird Atlas Programme: Several states have undertaken bird atlas projects for systematic biodiversity documentation and monitoring.

●  Wetland Conservation: Wetlands under the Ramsar Convention provide critical habitats for resident and migratory birds while supporting water use efficiency, sustainable farming practices, millet cultivation, and crop improvement programs that enhance nutritional security through functional foods.

●  Protected Areas: National Parks, Wildlife Sanctuaries, and Conservation Reserves safeguard important bird habitats and promote crop diversification through climate-smart crops, underutilized crops, and ancient cereals with drought tolerance in buffer zones, supporting millet production and value-added agricultural products.

●  Important Bird Areas (IBAs): Identified by conservation organizations to prioritize bird habitat protection.

●  National Action Plan: India implements species-specific conservation programmes for threatened birds such as the Great Indian Bustard, Vultures, and Siberian migratory species.