Delhi Bird Atlas 2025

Prelims: Current events of national and international importance

Why in News?

Recently the Delhi Bird atlas was released.

Delhi Bird Atlas – It is the first systematic effort to map the distribution and abundance of bird species across the National Capital Territory.
Prepared by – The Delhi Forest Department, Bird Count India, WWF-India, and partner organizations.
Rank – The atlas places Delhi second only to Nairobi among the world’s national capitals in bird diversity.
Reasons for High Bird Diversity – Attributed to its unique geographical location:
- Northern edge of the Aravalli Range
- Proximity to the Western Himalayas
- Presence of the Yamuna and Sahibi floodplains
- Strategic location along the Central Asian Flyway (CAF).

Central Asian flyway is a major migratory route connecting the Arctic with the Indian Ocean

Delhi’s bird checklist now includes 471 species.
An additional 22 species have not been re-recorded since 1975.
During the first year of surveys, 221 species were documented:
- 200 species in winter
- 152 species in summer
- 126 resident species
- 81 winter migrants
- 14 summer migrants
Ecological Composition – Birds were classified according to feeding habits:
- Invertebrate feeders – 108 species (48.87%)
- Plant and seed feeders – 37 species
- Omnivores – 34 species
- Vertebrate and carrion feeders – 33 species
- Fruit and nectar feeders – 9 species
- The atlas also recorded 18 endemic species and several threatened birds, including:
Endangered – Egyptian Vulture, Black-bellied Tern
Vulnerable – River Tern, Common Pochard
Near Threatened – Black-tailed Godwit, Ferruginous Duck, Painted Stork, Black-headed Ibis, Oriental Darter