Bengaluru Urban records 241 species in Rajyotsava Bird Count

Bengaluru Urban recorded 241 bird species in Karnataka’s first Rajyotsava Bird Count, a statewide citizen-led exercise held from October 30 to November 2.

The district drew 341 birders, the highest participation in the state. They submitted 788 complete checklists through the eBird portal. Across Karnataka, 2,252 participants submitted 8,223 checklists and documented 407 species.

Uttara Kannada recorded the highest number of species, with 300, followed by Mysuru with 260. Bengaluru Urban’s tally included the orange-breasted green pigeon, which was recorded only in the district during the count.

Vignesh Bhat, a coordinator of the count, said waterbodies on Bengaluru’s outskirts and forest landscapes around Bannerghatta and Kanakapura Road support bird populations despite vegetation loss in the city.

Bird Count India and the Karnataka Bird Monitoring Network organised the count with the forest department and eBird India. Participants were asked to observe birds for at least 15 minutes and upload complete lists.