Hyderabad fast-paced urbanisation is leaving a mark on its natural environment and the city birds are among the clearest indicators of this change. A handful of species Red-vented Bulbul, Ashy Prinia, Spotted Dove, Purple Sunbird and Rock Pigeon are thriving amid concrete neighbourhoods, but overall bird diversity has fallen sharply in the city’s core areas.
Hyderabad Bird Atlas survey tracks urban biodiversity
These insights come from the ongoing Hyderabad Bird Atlas 2025, jointly developed by Hyderabad Birding Pals, Deccan Birders and WWF-India. Findings from the second phase of the survey were presented on Sunday. So far, 218 species have been recorded across the city using 1,440 eBird checklists submitted by more than 400 volunteers.
The surveys, conducted in February and July, covered 180 zones spanning lakes, scrublands and grasslands. Four more seasonal surveys are planned before the Atlas is completed, giving researchers a long-term picture of how bird populations are shifting and which species require greater conservation attention.
Palapitta count dips in monsoon
One striking detail was the sharp seasonal variation in the Indian Roller locally known as the palapitta and Telangana State bird. While 26 were observed in winter only four were recorded during the monsoon, showing a steep drop in numbers during the rains.
The survey also documented 18 bird species protected under Schedule I of the Wildlife Protection Act and 26 listed as High Priority in the State of India Birds assessment. Among the rare and threatened species sighted were the River Tern (classified as vulnerable by the IUCN), along with the Asian Woolly-necked Stork, Spot-billed Pelican and Pallid Harrier, all considered near threatened.
Species-rich zones and urban gaps
Areas such as Himayat Sagar–Kothwalguda, Dammaiguda–Thimmaipalli, Jalpally–Pahadishareef, Bachupally–Madaram and Pashamylaram–Isnapur stood out as species-rich habitats. In contrast, heavily built-up localities including Secunderabad–Lakdikapool, Malkajgiri–AOC and LB Nagar–Dilsukhnagar registered the lowest bird diversity.
Conservationists stress that consistent monitoring is crucial to track how urbanisation is shaping birdlife and to ensure that habitats critical to Hyderabad avian species from common residents to rare migrants are protected.