(A concise overview of birding in Karnataka)
Karnataka is home to ~560 recorded bird species as of January 1, 2026.
Among these are resident species that remain in the same area throughout the year, adapting to their environment by locating food and shelter consistently. Some birds live their entire lives in territories as small as 1.5 acres (for instance, the Wrentit Chamaea fasciata from North America typically occupies and defends a territory of about 0.62 hectares, or roughly 1.5 acres, often spending its whole life within a very limited, defined home range). Similar instances can be observed in the Western Ghats 'Sky Islands', although they may not be as confined in area.
Migratory species, on the other hand, engage in regular, seasonal migrations, often covering vast distances between specific breeding and wintering locations, motivated by the search for food, favourable climates, and safe environments for raising their young. For example, the Arctic Tern Sterna paradisaea covers 20-30 million square kilometres, while the Wandering Albatross Diomedea exulans spans 65 million square kilometres.
This illustrates that one cannot merely assign them a geographical label—these birds are indeed global travellers. Many migratory birds transcend simple geographic limits, crossing continents and oceans in ways that render them citizens of the world rather than belonging to any single region. This global movement underscores the interconnectedness of ecosystems and challenges conventional ideas of 'native' species in the context of climate change and habitat alterations.
The diverse vegetation in Karnataka, shaped by local topography and weather conditions, along with various water bodies like streams, rivers, tanks, reservoirs, and even farm fields, provides essential habitats that support a myriad of life forms, enabling birds to thrive in this region. Neighbouring states—Andhra Pradesh, Goa, Kerala, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, and Telangana—all share similar geographic features like coastal lines and the Western and Eastern Ghats (Some), contributing to a rich biodiversity that mirrors Karnataka.
Karnataka, situated in the southwestern part of India, covers an area of approximately 191,791 square kilometres, ranking as the seventh-largest state by size and representing about 5.83% of the country's total land area. It is positioned between latitudes 11°30' and 18°30' North and longitudes 74° to 78°30' East, stretching roughly 750-850 km from north to south and 400-450 km from east to west, with a coastline measuring around 320 km along the Arabian Sea.
Geographically, Karnataka is categorized into three primary regions: the coastal plain (Karavali) in the west, known for its sandy beaches and estuaries, is bordered by the Arabian Sea in the west, is 12-64 km wide and 320 km long in the south and elevation not more than 30 m. The hilly ‘Malenadu’ region of the Western Ghats, which features elevations reaching up to 1,900 meters and dense forests. And the expansive ‘Bayaluseeme’ plains of the Deccan Plateau in the east, distinguished by rolling landscapes and black-soil areas in the north. The plains of North Karnataka, located north of the Tungabhadra River, are about 500 meters above sea level, while the plains of Mysore, located south of the river, are more elevated (850-760 meters).
The state is home to a rich variety of flora and fauna, with forests covering approximately 20% of its territory, including five national parks and numerous wildlife sanctuaries, nourished by major rivers such as the Krishna, Cauvery, and Tungabhadra. Its climate is mainly tropical monsoon, ranging from humid coastal conditions to the drier plateaus.
Early humans made extensive use of birds for various aspects of daily life and cultural traditions, beginning as hunter-gatherers and eventually moving towards domestication. They hunted wild birds, such as rock doves, and collected their eggs. Ducks, geese, and pigeons served as prevalent food sources. It is believed that pigeons were domesticated between 5,000 and 10,000 years ago, initially for sustenance and subsequently for communication purposes. Chickens were domesticated approximately 3,500 years ago, as indicated by DNA studies, first for cockfighting and later for their meat and eggs. Additionally, raptors were trained for the practice of falconry. Feathers were utilized for fletching arrows, while bird bones were crafted into tools like awls. Birds also served as messengers, particularly pigeons, and in certain regions, species such as the honeyguide assisted humans in finding food. Furthermore, birds were kept as pets due to their songs or vibrant plumage. Bird droppings, known as guano, were employed as fertilizer, and feathers were repurposed for warm clothing and bedding. Research indicates that as early as the Middle Old Stone Age (Paleolithic era), humans were already exploiting birds for nourishment and utilizing their feathers and claws for decorative purposes.
Humans, raised alongside other living creatures such as birds, have assigned them names, created sketches, engravings, sculptures, and constructed narratives—legends and poetry. These elements have been absorbed into their cultural fabric.
As in other parts of the world, Karnataka has a uniquely deep-rooted relationship with avian life, where birds are not just biological entities but potent cultural symbols interwoven into the state's identity, literature, and history. The State Emblem ‘Gandabherunda’ a mythical two-headed bird. The renowned anthropomorphic ‘Gandaberunda’ sculpture is located at Balligavi, a town near Shiralakoppa in the Shivamogga district of Karnataka. This historic statue, dating back to 1047 CE, is a significant cultural and mythological artifact. It served as a royal emblem for several prominent South Indian dynasties, including the Chalukyas, Vijayanagara, and Mysore kingdoms, and remains the official state emblem of Karnataka today. Similar images were found in Hittite artifacts from (Turkey, ~14th Century BC). Cockfighting game is still practiced in Dakshina Kannada, Udupi, and Shivamogga (only in few patches bordering Udupi) districts
T.V. Venkatachala Shastri’s Kannada animal dictionary - Acchagannada Prani Padakosha (2015) contains about 43 pages of various bird name entries from various works used across different periods include anthologies, poetic compositions, grammatical treatises, commentaries, and Poetic-critique texts. Various works used across different periods include anthologies, poetic compositions, grammatical treatises, commentaries, and poetic-critique texts. Some of the consulted works are: Amarakośa, Abhidhāna Ratna Māla Karnataka Teeke, Kumāravyāsa Bharata, Vaḍḍa Rādhāne, Karnāṭaka Pañchatantram, Siddha Linga Kavya, Torave Ramāyaṇa, Līkopakāraṃ, Yaśodhara Charite, Hariśchandra Kavya, Amugi Devayya’s Sāṅgatya, Śabaraśaṃkara Vilāsa, Kāvya Sāram, AbhinavAbhidhanam, Malegalalli Madumagalu, Mohanataraṅgiṇī, Śālva Bharata, Reverend Kittel Kannada-English Dictionary and various lexicons, literary periodicals, and other publications. The Kannada-English Dictionary by Reverend F. Kittel, published in 1894, is regarded as the inaugural comprehensive dictionary of the Kannada language, featuring 285 distinct bird names.
India has a profoundly rich indigenous tradition of life sciences dating back thousands of years, rooted in Vedic, Ayurvedic, and other classical knowledge systems. These were sophisticated, observational, and practical, often integrated with philosophy, medicine, and ecology.
The development of modern, institutionalized life sciences (with surveys, museums, and experimental methods influenced by Western science), including botany, zoology, ornithology, physiology, and similar disciplines, in India primarily developed during the period of British colonial governance, spanning from the late 18th century until 1947. Initially motivated by imperial interests—such as economic botany for trade in spices, timber, and medicines, as well as the cataloguing of natural resources and the establishment of museum collections—this field progressed through the efforts of British naturalists alongside emerging Indian scientists. This period established essential institutions, conducted surveys, and initiated experimental research that significantly shaped the field of biology in the post-independence era.
Following India's independence, the fragmented Kannada-speaking areas were unified to form Mysore State in 1956. At that time, 19 districts were distributed across the States of Bombay (Belagavi, Dharwad, Uttara Kannada, Vijayapura), Madras (Ballari, Dakshina Kannada), Hyderabad (Bidar, Gulbarga, Raichur), Mysore (Bangalore, Chikkamagalur, Chitradurga, Hassan, Kolar, Mandya, Mysore, Shivamogga, and Tumakuru), as well as the territory of Coorg. In 1973, it was renamed Karnataka, and currently, there are 31 districts.
In over half of these regions, Ornithological studies had been carried out by the time of unification in 1956. The studies conducted, along with the respective areas and years, are as follows: Captain EA Butler – Belagavi, 1881; William R Davison – Mysore, 1883; CJW Taylor – Hassan, 1887; James Davidson – Uttara Kannada, 1890; Major EG Pythian-Adams – Mysore, 1937-48; Walter N Koelz – Uttara Kannada, Belagavi, 1942; Salim Ali & H Whistler – Old Mysore State, 1942-43; and Frederick N Betts– Kodagu (Coorg), 1951-52. If the Hyderabad State Ornithological Survey (1931–32) had continued as agreed by the Hyderabad rulers, Karnataka could have gained knowledge about the bird diversity in Bidar, Gulbarga, and Raichur of that period. However, due to financial constraints, the survey could not be completed.
Bird surveys conducted by Salim Ali in the Madras Presidency, Hyderabad, Travancore, and Cochin States revealed notable differences between certain bird species inhabiting the eastern and western regions of the Indian Peninsula. Consequently, systematic research was planned to explore the line of separation, which was clearly situated somewhere in the intervening area of Mysore. Salim Ali travelled through the former Mysore state from November 6, 1939, to February 25, 1940, over a span of four months. An extensive bird survey was carried out at 63 locations, including Agumbe, BR Hills, and Kemmanugundi. He explored various environments such as evergreen forests, moist deciduous areas, thorn-scrub, agricultural fields, wetlands, hills, and plains in pursuit of bird species. Ultimately, he confirmed the existence of 346 bird species. The final report includes findings from game hunters and naturalists in the region, including Morris, Phythium, Betts, Davison, and Taylors'.
Currently, India is home to a considerable number of proficient bird watchers, primarily due to Salim Ali's illustrated field guide, "The Common Birds of India." Initially released in 1941, this guide featured descriptions of 200 birds (recent editions now include 538 species), presented in clear, non-technical language suitable for the general audience, and made available at a reasonable cost. Nevertheless, this field guide remains more authoritative and in demand.
The 8th edition of Salim Ali's pictorial field guide (1968) has been revised and published. Additionally, detailed local studies and ornithology notes from Sandur (1973) by Kumar Ghorpade have been released.
Bangalore emerged as the intellectual hub of Indian ornithology, largely influenced by two prominent figures who relocated to the city.
Dr. Joseph George established the Birdwatchers' Field Club of Bangalore in 1972. He advocated the Group Birdwatching in India, a concept of community science. He organized monthly outings for students and enthusiasts (often to Lalbagh or Hebbal Lake), instructing them to focus on observing behaviour rather than merely identifying species. He was instrumental in creating the Annotated Checklist of Birds of Bangalore, which transformed the city into one of the most thoroughly documented urban avian environments globally.
Zafar Futehally, relocated to Bangalore in the 1970s along with the "Newsletter for Birdwatchers" (established in 1960). For many years, this typed and cyclostyled newsletter served as the sole means of communication for birdwatchers throughout India.
Consequently, Bangalore transformed into the newsroom for Indian ornithology, linking observers from the Himalayas to Kerala.
Articles about nature, including a few with colour photographs in popular newspapers and periodicals, have inspired many individuals to engage in nature study activities using cameras and binoculars. Writers from across Karnataka have been sharing their experiences and enthusiasm, with notable figures such as KP Purnachandra Tejaswi, HR Krishnamurthy, PD Sudarshan, Jayakar Bhandari, Niranjan Sant, Dinesh Holla, SV Krishnamurty, BC Gururaj, Daani, Ananth Tattisara, HS Ananth, Pampayya Malimath, Samad Kottur, Santhosh Martin, BV Gundappa, M Mallikarjun, KS Murugendra, TM Sridhara, G Krishnaprasad, KS Rajashekar, Puttaraju, Indira Sangapura, Chandra Gangadaya, H Venkateshwar, and many others. Despite their remarkable contributions to Nature Education, many of these individuals have remained in the background.
In 2003, S Sridhar assumed the role of editor for the Newsletter for Birdwatchers. A new print journal ‘Indian Birds’ dedicated entirely to South-Asian birds was launched in 2004, with Aasheesh Pittie as editor, which quickly gained popularity among birders and academics. Currently, it is being published in a digital format. The Oriental Bird Club (OBC) digital database, established in 2002 by Krys Kazmierczak, was designed to share and explore images of Asian birds. This database was meticulously curated and managed for almost two decades until 2021, when it was transferred to the Macaulay Library at the Cornell Lab of Ornithology. This resource proved invaluable for identifying challenging bird species.
The Asian Wetland Bureau (now, Wetlands International) collaborated with the Bombay Natural History Society (BNHS) to launch the Winter Waterfowl Census in India in 1987. This initiative has since evolved into the more extensive Asian Waterbird Census (AWC), a notable citizen-science endeavour designed to monitor waterbirds and wetlands across Asia through annual counts conducted every January. This partnership established a foundation for ongoing waterbird monitoring in India, which is crucial for wetland conservation and for understanding migratory patterns. Furthermore, the project has significantly increased the number of birdwatchers. By the conclusion of 1996, the data indicated that waterbirds, waterbodies, and birdwatchers were most abundant in Gujarat, with Karnataka ranking second. Furthermore, it assisted in recognizing Important Bird Areas (IBAs) in the upcoming years.
Sally Walker played a crucial role in community and conservation efforts associated with Mysore Zoo during the 1980s and early 1990s, through the Friends of Mysore Zoo, significantly impacting public outreach and education. Inspired by the zoo's activities, Manu K, Guruprasad P, and a few friends founded the Mysore Amateur Naturalists (MAN), which has continued to provide nature education, hands-on experiences in nature camps, and documentation of biodiversity. They have also engaged in conservation activities and educated the public about environmental mismanagement, influencing Environmental Impact Assessments (EIA) in and around Mysore. From 1990 to 2010, MAN was the only active group in Karnataka, aside from the well-funded World-Wide Fund for Nature (WWF), until a surge of various organizations emerged in environmental education. Subsequently, MAN's activities expanded throughout Karnataka, fostering many active and effective naturalists that the state is witnessing today. The participation of Mysore Nature Naturalists is evident in the Asian Waterbird Census (AWC), the designation of Important Bird Areas (IBA), the preservation of Lingambudhi Lake from a proposed ring road that would cross it, and the conservation efforts in Kokkare Bellur Sanctuary and Environmental Education. Academician Sadanand KB, an accomplished botanist from the University of Mysore, offered substantial assistance and engagement with MAN. In his capacity, Sadanand acted as a mentor for many enthusiastic individuals, schools, colleges, institutions, and various government agencies.
The 'Mysore Nature' group (https://www.mysorenature.org/), which operates informally, provides knowledge about biodiversity to interested individuals through nature walks, long-term studies, and bird censuses. It functions within the Mysore, Mandya, and Chamarajanagar districts. A comprehensive long-term study focusing on butterflies, birds, odonata and plants is conducted on a voluntary basis and is maintained in an online database. An annual bird census takes place on the 2nd or 3rd weekend of January each year, covering over 100 locations with the participation of approximately 20 bird watching groups. This initiative enhances the understanding of bird habitats and their conditions.
Under the mentorship of Zoology K. Prabhakar Acharya, the Nature Club at Sri Bhuvanendra College in Karkala released ‘Birds of Karkala’ in 1990. Subsequently, a comprehensive bilingual book featuring color images was published in collaboration with Shivashankar S. under the title ‘Birds of Southern Coastal Karnataka’ in 2012. That same year, the same authors also released the Coastal Karnataka birders’ directory, which serves as a guide for birdwatchers in the Dakshina Kannada and Udupi Districts.
Following retirement, the esteemed bird expert S.A. Hussain joined their efforts to safeguard and preserve Anekere Lake in Karkala. Beyond their birdwatching pursuits, this group actively engaged in various environmental issues concerning the Coastal Western Ghats. Dr. Madhyastha N.A. and Dr. Arunachalam Kumar, both prominent figures, played a crucial role in educating the public and bird enthusiasts about the region's biodiversity, particularly its avian species.
A project aimed at understanding the relationship between water quality in a waterbody, the fish residing there, and the birds that depend on them was launched by S.A. Hussain in partnership with SACON, Coimbatore. Birdwatchers from various areas contributed samples of water, and fish, which were packed in ice, were sent via courier to SACON. In the Mysore region, the Mysore Amateur Naturalists (MAN) team assisted the project.
In the adjacent state of Kerala, birdwatchers have partnered with the forest department to carry out various bird surveys since 1990. It has been suggested that the scientific mindset fostered by the Kerala Sasthra Sahithya Parishad (Kerala Science Literature Movement) - aimed at promoting science among the general populace - has propelled these biodiversity research initiatives. Birders in Karnataka attempted similar surveys but were only able to make progress in areas like Bandipur, MM Hills, and BR Hills. Nevertheless, the Karnataka Forest Department successfully transformed birdwatching and nature observation into a form of tourism. Eco-tourism has opened up forest fringes to the middle-income group, allowing for the observation of larger mammals as well as smaller birds and insects. S. Karthikeyan, a distinguished freelance naturalist who effectively led WWF in Karnataka and later served as Chief Naturalist at Jungle Lodges & Resorts, has played a crucial role in establishing eco-camps and trails across various regions of Karnataka. Since 2015, the Karnataka Forest Department has been organizing 'Bird Festivals' in various sub-regions to promote birdwatching activities.
Birdwatchers investigated avian species in the plains, Western Ghats, and coastal areas; the only area remaining is the ocean on the western horizon. Shivashankar M from Karkala began the first pelagic birding expedition in January 2011, using a small boat from the Mulki coast along with six other birders. The activity has now transitioned to Mangalore port, now with full-fledged boat and team, ~42 surveys have been conducted over the past fifteen years, contributing significantly to the avian diversity of Karnataka.
The first decade witnessed a surge in digital photography, high-speed internet, and advancements in vehicles and infrastructure, making birdwatching and photography more accessible across the state. This accessibility led to an increase in the collection of information about birds and their habitats, resulting in more extensive studies.
In the past, only a handful of institutions such as the Indian Institute of Science (IIsc), Bombay Natural History Society (BNHS), and the Wildlife Institute of India (WII) focused on subjects related to Environment, Ecology, and Ornithology. However, new institutions like the Salim Ali Centre for Ornithology and Nature Science (SACON), Ashoka Trust for Research in Ecology and Environment (ATREE), National Centre for Biological Sciences (NCBS), Nature Conservation Foundation (NCF), and Gubbi Labs have emerged, significantly expanding the scope of life sciences research and knowledge dissemination.
Based on local observations, district-specific study reports, field guides, and checklists began to emerge. Notable among these is: KP Purnachandra Tejaswi & AK Chakravarthi (1992) focusing on Chikkamagalur, Geetha Nayak & K Prabhakar Acharya (2000) covering Dakshina Kannada, Dr SV Narasimhan (2004, revised 2008) addressing Kodagu (Coorg), K Prabhakar Acharya & Shivashankar M (2012) examining the entirety of Southern Coastal Karnataka, Samad Kottur (2014) on Ballari, and the Mysore Nature Website discussing the Mysore-Mandya-Chamarajanagar and Kodagu (Coorg) districts (2012).
Dr. S V Narasimhan, a resident of Virajpet in Kodagu, is advocating for wildlife conservation through his distinctively hand-painted Wildlife Message Cards, which have been distributed worldwide to honour Wildlife Week since 1983. He has authored a bilingual bird book featuring his own illustrations titled ‘Feathered Jewels of Coorg’. Furthermore, 2 to 3 decades ago, individuals interested in the avifauna of Coorg could consult him for guidance and support in the absence of eBird and birding guides. He also developed Kannada names for all the birds documented in Karnataka.
Karnataka spearheaded the shift from traditional notebooks to digital databases. In 1998, ecologist Dr. M.B. Krishna initiated the ‘bngbirds’ email group, which became one of the earliest digital communities for naturalists. Dr. S. Subramanya is well-known for his significant contributions to Heronries and played a key role in establishing India’s first sanctuary for Long-billed Vultures, along with several Ramsar Sites in Karnataka. During 2018-19, he led a team to retrace Salim Ali’s 1939 expedition, analysing data to assess habitat loss over a span of 78 years. L. Shyamal played a crucial role in bringing Indian ornithology into the digital age well before the launch of eBird in India. He developed software for bird identification and created tools for precise bird naming and checklists, accurate bird distribution maps which significantly aided birdwatchers. His efforts marked a significant advancement in democratizing ornithological data and paved the way for Indian ornithology to thrive in the information era.
BirdLife International's Important Bird Area (IBA) Programme, identifying priority conservation area, executed in India by the Bombay Natural History Society (BNHS) through the Indian Bird Conservation Network (IBCN), has pinpointed vital locations for bird conservation on a global scale. This initiative employs standardized criteria to identify essential habitats such as wetlands, parks, and reserves, which has resulted in targeted conservation actions, advocacy, and protection for endangered species and biodiversity throughout India.
The Indian IBA declaration is the culmination of five years of extensive efforts (1999-2004) by the IBA team, alongside numerous contributors, including both amateur and professional ornithologists, conservationists, forest officials, and bird enthusiasts. As a designated partner, the Bombay Natural History Society (BNHS) played a crucial role in validating the data and, to the extent possible, disseminating the message and preserving these IBA sites (Islam & Rahmani 2005). Out of 465 identified conservation priority areas recognized as Important Bird Areas (IBA) across India, 37 sites are situated in Karnataka. Assam leads with 46 IBAs, followed closely by Karnataka. Revised version (2016) recognized 544 in India and 41 in Karnataka.
Recognizing that only a limited number of Important Bird Areas (IBAs) from Northern Karnataka—specifically Bagalkote, Ballari, Belagavi, Bidar, Dharwad, Gadag, Gulbarga, Haveri, Koppal, Raichur, Uttara Kannada, Vijayapura, and Yadgiri—are set to be included in the initial report following preliminary discussions due to insufficient bird data, prominent bird watchers in the area established the North Karnataka Birders Network in January 2001. This initiative aims to gather data and enhance awareness collectively. On the day of the inauguration, a survey was carried out at Magadi Kere in Gadag with a team of 33 members, guided by experts including JC Uttangi, PD Sudarshan, Gurunath Desai, Shri Srivatsa, RG Timmapur, Ashok Mansur, and led by Vijayamohan Raj (IFS). Their commitment has enabled us to observe unique species and notable bird hotspots that draw birders from all over India. To this day, ~497 distinct bird species have been documented in these areas.
Dr. Raman Kumar from Wildlife Institute of India (WII), Dehradun along with Dr. Suhel Quader from National Centre for Biological Sciences (NCBS), Bengaluru studied bird migration through Citizen Science model under 'Migrantwatch' project from 2007-2012. The outcome was outstanding, successfully documenting the precise dates of arrival and departure, the length of stay, and the migration paths.
The Nature Conservation Foundation (NCF) has been instrumental in the introduction of eBird to India by establishing the necessary institutional, scientific, and community-oriented framework to adapt the global platform to local contexts. In January 2014, under the leadership of scientist Dr. Suhel Quader, NCF officially embraced eBird as the primary instrument for avian documentation in India. They collaborated with the Cornell Lab of Ornithology, which oversees eBird on a global scale, to ensure that the platform could accommodate Indian species, local nomenclature, and regional variations. Bird Count India (BCI) serves as the public-facing partnership that oversees eBird's operations in India. It is not an independent NGO; rather, it is an informal collective that is hosted and supported by NCF.
eBird's entry into India (2013) has revolutionized ornithology by generating massive datasets (like the State of India's Birds report), but it has also introduced distinct challenges. The adoption of eBird in India gained significant momentum that has transformed birdwatching, data collection, and conservation efforts. Key advantages are - Explosive growth in Citizen Science data, enabled national-scale conservation assessments, empowered and engaged birdwatching community, Real-Time tools for better birding and discovery, and standardized, verifiable data supports research on population trends, habitat changes.
The "gamification" of birdwatching, along with the swift spread of location data, has resulted in unforeseen adverse effects on both bird welfare and the social fabric of the birding community. Examples that impact birds' welfare and conservation include rapid crowding, stress, misuse of playback, data exploitation by poachers, habitat destruction, and delays in protective measures. In India, the birding culture has evolved from a leisurely, observation-based hobby into a competitive, data-driven pursuit. Key issues affecting the birding community include a focus on quantity rather than quality, instances of cheating and dishonesty, elitism and exclusion, power dynamics among reviewers, and instances of trespassing.
By leveraging the eBird platform, avian enthusiasts from Mysuru City – Mysore Nature launched India’s inaugural Bird Atlas during its first year, and the Mysuru City Bird Atlas (2014–2016) covers 192 species, outlining their distribution and establishing a conservation baseline, while data analysis is currently underway for the second iteration taking place from 2023 to 2025.
Ameen Ahmed from Tumakuru created Karnataka's inaugural Bird Checklist in 2000. Subsequent revisions were released in 2004 and 2007, with Uday Veer Singh (IFS) identifying 561 species. In 2015, Praveen J, Subramanya S, and Vijaya Mohan Raj (IFS) compiled a consolidated list for the Karnataka Forest Department, which included 524 species. This list was further revised and published in 2016, featuring 531 species.
A comprehensive statewide checklist was published in the Indian BIRDS journal in 2016, documenting 531 species. To overcome the limitations of previous compilations, this checklist accepts species based on a hierarchy of evidence, ranked from strongest to weakest:
Museum specimens examined by experts and unpreserved specimens assessed in hand by knowledgeable observers. Primarily historical (pre-1970) specimens from early surveys (Ali & Whistler, Koelz, etc.), deposited in institutions such as BNHS, NHMUK, AMNH, FMNH, USNM, among others. This is supplemented by museum catalogues and VertNet, and cross-verified with Rasmussen & Anderton (2012). Approximately 350–400 species were added with confirmed specimens, along with around 50 more based on “in-hand” records but lacking specific locations.
Definitive photographs available in the public domain (either published or accessible). A surge post-2000 through platforms like Oriental Bird Images (OBI), eBird/Macaulay Library, Indian BIRDS, India Nature Watch, and others has yielded about 500 species with confirmed photographs.
Well-documented sight records accompanied by detailed field notes. These records are treated with caution; only those that are well-documented are accepted. The eBird snapshot from July 2016 provided 496 validated species, with additional scrutiny applied to rare or contentious records.
Certain species necessitated further justification for their inclusion, while others with questionable records were relegated to an appendix and excluded from the main list.
This meticulous, evidence-based methodology emphasizes verifiable records (specimens and photographs) over unconfirmed sightings, indicating a transition from historical collection-based ornithology to contemporary photographic and digital documentation.
Recent updates via eBird have expanded this list to approximately 556 species, as reflected in the latest versions such as v7.0+.
The Great Indian Bustard, a sizable bird comparable to a Peafowl, resides in extensive open plains characterized by low rainfall. By the advent of modern times, its population had already dwindled significantly, prompting British ornithologists to advocate for its conservation. The species has experienced such a severe decline that after three individuals were observed in 2016 at Siruguppa in the Ballari district, it has not been seen again by birdwatchers. Aside from this area, it has not been located in any other part of the state.
In 2015, to investigate its habitat range and movement behaviours, satellite transmitters were attached to two birds at the Nannaj Wildlife Sanctuary in Solapur, Maharashtra. One of these birds, with the arrival of the monsoon season, travelled approximately 100 km to reach the Karnataka border. Rather than taking a direct route, it navigated through Akkalkot, Gangewadi, and Vairag before finally arriving at the border. It subsequently returned to Nannaj in February.
Salim Ali (1940) recorded a subspecies of the Rock Bushquail at Chitradurga, which was new to science. This subspecies has a distinctive plumage with a reddish sheen and is sparsely distributed in the district.
The Tawny-bellied Babbler, recognized for its white throat, is quite well-known. There's a subspecies that sports an earthy red throat instead of the usual white, and it's only found in the Bidar district. In the northern area of the Nallamalla forest region in the nearby state of Telangana, particularly from Ballari to Bidar, you can also spot tawny-bellied babblers with that earthy red throat. More research is needed to determine where this variation in throat color for this subspecies has taken place.
The Black-bellied Tern has bred on the sandbanks of the Hemavati (Sakaleshpura, Hassan) and Kaveri River (Talakadu, Mysore) for over a century, but in the past fifty years or so, significant human activities, the loss of vital sandbanks, and increased livestock presence have troubled these birds, with Timmapur RG, an observer of these birds at Hidkal Dam's backwater in Belagavi, noting that their tendency to nest in the same specific location makes the loss of their breeding site significantly detrimental to their population.
It is a welcome development that the Knob-billed Duck has chosen a suitable site in North Karnataka to breed and raise its young.
The Brown Rock Chat and the Asian Pied Starling, whose distribution extends up to central India, have been seen throughout the year in northeastern Karnataka in recent years, indicating that their range has expanded. And, once known migrants like Black-winged Stilt, Clamorous Reed-warbler, Kentish Plover, Little Tern, Striolated Bunting started breeding.
The Greater Flamingo and the Lesser Flamingo, which breed in the Kutch region of Gujarat in western India, postpone their breeding activities if there is insufficient rainfall/unsuitable water level in breeding ground. In such years, during the monsoon, they can be seen for months together in wetland regions of southern India, including some districts of North Karnataka. The Greater Flamingo also arrives as a migrant from Iran and Kazakhstan. A bird bearing a migratory ring that had been fitted in August 1974 at Lake Urmia in Iran was sighted in April 1975 at Raichur.
The Malabar Imperial Pigeon is a distinctive pigeon of the Western Ghats. It flies in flocks at great heights, feeds on the fruits of tall trees, and lives without coming down to the ground. They are specialized to consume, swallow whole, and disperse seeds from a wide range of fruit-bearing trees. It eats only the fruits of a few selected trees such as fig, nutmeg, and selective fruits. Its digestive system is specially adapted to these fruits. These trees are highly valued for making plywood and matchsticks. Because these trees have been extensively felled from dense forests, the birds that depend on them have declined—a fact that Kannada author, Poornachandra Tejaswi had documented long ago.
The resident Grey Heron is commonly found year-round in wetlands throughout the region. Evidence that some of these birds are migratory comes from a notable record: in April 1962, a Grey Heron seen near the Suvarna River in Udupi had a migration ring on its leg. That ring had been fitted in June 1961 on the banks of the Talas River in southern Kazakhstan, showing that the bird had flown all the way to Udupi.
The Indian Grey Hornbill uses tree cavities for nesting and mainly consumes fruits from Ficus varieties, previously nesting in the cavities of these trees, but as farmers have increasingly stopped cultivating fig trees, which are less profitable, and with other large trees becoming scarce, these hornbills now predominantly nest in aging coconut palms, which face risks if they are too short or damaged, exposing them to predators. Furthermore, a certain orchard owner believes that nesting may harm coconut palms, and the possibility of a decline in nesting sites cannot be disregarded.
The Malabar Whistling Thrush is a melodious bird found in the Western Ghats and Satpura hills, and it's surprising that these birds, once believed to be limited in their range, can actually travel great distances; for example, a bird with a migration ring from Mahabaleshwar, Maharashtra, spotted in June 1972, was later seen in Kodagu, more than 800 km away, in February 1976, illustrating that even species thought to have restricted ranges can cover substantial distances. In recent years, over 20 bird species, including the Small Sunbird, White-rumped Spinetail, and Malabar Starling, have increasingly been seen in the Western and Eastern Ghats during the monsoon, and although they might be missed by observers due to not flying in large flocks, this highlights a significant change in their distribution.
Upon confirming the presence of the Malabar Pied Hornbill in the forests of Davanagere district, Dr. Shishupal believes that a range extension has occurred, and he points out that over the last two decades, the potential for these birds to nest in the area could not be substantiated; however, recent observations suggest an increase in their numbers, making their presence more noticeable, likely due to the rise in birdwatchers and organized surveys leading to more sightings and a better understanding of their distribution, with Malabar Pied Hornbills being more prevalent in the Udupi–North Kannada–Shivamogga region.
The relict and distinct species, White-naped Tit has patchy distribution restricted to dry thorn scrub forests only in Mekedatu–Hogenakkal and in Nayanakanhatti- Rangayyanadurga, Kappatagudda regions in Karnataka. In Andhra Pradesh, it has been recorded in Hindupur, Anantapur, and Gandikota. Outside these limited areas of southern interior, the species’ presence extends as far as southwestern Gujarat and eastern Rajasthan, about 1,100 km away. It likely had a wider historical distribution, but due to habitat changes, only two isolated populations now remain.
The Grey Wagtail is a migratory species that breeds in the Himalayan region during the summer months and then travels south across the country for the winter, returning after the cold season; it is notable for its punctual arrival in wintering areas each year, as observed by T. S. Ganesh at Biligirirangan Hills when a Grey Wagtail appeared in the second week of September 2007, with the same bird returning to the same spot during the same period in the following two years, and since it had lost one leg, it is confidently recognized as the same individual.
The Amur Falcon, known for its migratory behaviour, breeds in Siberia and China. It arrives in significant numbers in India between October and November for a short period. This species is recognized for migrating to southern Africa via India and the Arabian Sea, returning along the same path in spring after spending the winter there. It follows a reliable annual migratory pattern and has often been observed during its migration in Karnataka. Satellite transmitters attached to the birds have verified their arrival and presence in the region during this time. For instance, a bird that returned in May 2017 had to land at KGF due to low air pressure, and tracking data indicated sightings of migration through northern Karnataka in 2019.
The Oriental Pratincole traveling 6,350 km from northwestern Australia to breed at the Almatti backwaters, Bagalkote via the East Asian–Australasian Flyway came to light as a new discovery in 2019. Until then, it was widely believed that migratory birds arrived only from the Northern Hemisphere via the Central Asian Flyway; the Oriental Pratincole has disproved this assumption.
The Common Tern migrates to the coast every year. In June 1981, a tern fitted with a migratory ring on the shores of Lake Alakol in Kazakhstan was observed in Udupi in January 1982.
In August 1964, the elusive seabird known as the South Polar Skua was spotted in Udupi after being fitted with a migration ring in March 1961 in the South Polar region, and had it flown directly from that point, it would have travelled 17,500 km across the African continent, yet since seabirds typically do not take such a direct route over land, the actual distance it covered was likely even more extensive.
Ospreys migrate to India during the winter. Typically, three-year-old birds begin breeding, so the ones that arrive after migration are usually immature and do not return immediately for breeding. Such young Ospreys are sometimes seen throughout the year. In September 2019, two Ospreys equipped with satellite transmitters in Russia made their way to India, with one female settling near Udaipur, Rajasthan, while a male journeyed through central India and arrived in Ilkal, Bagalkot in November, where it likely met its end after being struck by windmill blades or electric wires.
The Pin-striped Tit-Babbler, inhabits thickets, and after its documentation by Salim Ali in 1939, it has not been seen again; moreover, the habitat he noted near the Kabini reservoir in Antharasanthe has since been destroyed, leading to the conclusion that this species, which developed alongside that habitat, now seems to be extinct within the geographical boundaries of Karnataka, although there exists another separated population in northeastern India, where no further records of the species have been found since the first collection.
In the early years of the previous century, it was noted that large groups of Demoiselle Cranes would fly over Mysuru city in the mornings and evenings, gathering in the thousands along the banks of the Kapila River in Nanjanagudu, but sightings have significantly decreased since then, with only a few individuals observed occasionally; however, starting in 2015, during the winter months of January and February, they have been migrating in good numbers to the wetlands of northern Karnataka, and Timmapur RG, who has closely monitored their movements in Belagavi, points out that these cranes tend to return before March 21.
On December 15, 2007, M. Niranjan from Bengaluru captured images of Bar-headed Geese at Kaggalipura Lake near Bannur, and upon returning home, he observed that one of the birds had a yellow neck collar marked “E6,” indicating it had been tagged for scientific research; ornithologist Martin Gilbert in northern Mongolia had previously fitted 50 Bar-headed Geese with rings to monitor disease spread and migratory patterns, and the bird photographed by Niranjan had journeyed around 5,000 km, rendering the photograph especially noteworthy, and since that time, the “ringed Bar-headed Goose” has garnered considerable interest from birdwatchers and wildlife photographers, with observers documenting 44 ringed Bar-headed Geese in the Mysuru Area (comprising Mysore-Mandya-Chamarajanagar districts) to date, including one marked F88 that has been sighted four times, three birds sighted three times each, and nine birds sighted twice, suggesting that some may travel up to 10,000 km annually, although complete records for Karnataka remain incomplete.
Much earlier a Bar-headed Goose, which had been fitted with a ring in June 1984 in the Shanghai area of China, went unobserved for 12 years before it was finally sighted in Dharwad in November 1996.
There are 16 bird species that are endemic to the Western Ghats, with Laughingthrushes and Shortwings being notably scarce among them, while the Golden-headed Cisticola primarily inhabits the high-altitude grasslands of the Western Ghats and is not found outside of northern Kerala; these birds are confined to the highland grasslands of Western Ghats, unlike their relatives, which are spread across the high-altitude grasslands of northern India's Himalayan region
State of Indian Bird: In 2023, a comprehensive report was compiled by fourteen governmental and semi-governmental Indian scientific institutions after analysing and reviewing data on 942 bird species in India whose statuses could be assessed, revealing that, based on factors such as the population numbers, habitat, food diversity, and threats faced by these birds, it is possible to evaluate long-term trends over the last 25 years, short-term trends since 2015, and the current distribution status throughout the country.
It was observed that Ashy Prinia, Rock Pigeon, Asian Koel, and Indian Peafowl have shown remarkable increases, whereas both migratory and resident ducks inhabiting various wetlands are facing ongoing long-term declines.
The Lesser Florican has been declining more sharply than the Great Indian Bustard but has not received equivalent conservation efforts.
Several woodpecker species have diminished since 2000 while some, notably Lesser Yellownape and Black-rumped Flameback, appear stable.
Coastal shorebirds have significantly declined as a group.
Generalist raptors like Shikra, Black Kite, Oriental Honey Buzzard, and Brahminy Kite are faring well, yet specialist species such as Short-toed Eagle, Black-winged Kite, and Red-necked Falcon that depend on open habitats or forests urgently require attention.
The Indian Gray Hornbill, unlike most Indian hornbills that are globally threatened, shows positive trends as it is not fully reliant on forests.
Glossy Ibis and Black-headed Ibis have dramatically increased in abundance over the past thirty years in India, and Eurasian Spoonbill, Spot-billed Pelican, and Painted Stork are currently experiencing a sharp and concerning decline.
Highest Conservation priority species for Karnataka are Malabar Grey Hornbill, Yellow-throated Bulbul, Nilgiri Sholakili and White-bellied Blue Flycatcher out of 24 identified.
The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) regularly assesses and releases the Red List, which highlights threatened plants, animals, birds, insects, and other life forms, offering comprehensive details regarding the regional distribution, population density, habitats, and conservation efforts for the listed species, thereby prompting individual countries to enforce protection and conservation strategies for these species within their territories, although implementing these recommendations effectively poses a significant challenge; in Karnataka, the IUCN Red List includes 58 bird species, comprising 31 resident and 27 migratory species.
Some bird species live only within a very restricted range (endemic) and are not found anywhere else in the world outside that region. There are 190 such endemic bird species in South Asia, of which 78 occur in India. Out of these 78 Indian endemic birds, 37 are found in Karnataka. Among them, 16 species of the Western Ghats in Karnataka survive in extremely limited areas.
Karnataka's ornithological history reflects India's broader avian exploration, beginning with colonial-era collections and gaining momentum through systematic surveys in the 20th century. The state's formation in 1956, unifying regions brought together diverse ecological zones, enriching its bird records. Today, with ~560 documented species, this history blends early naturalist observations, landmark surveys, and modern citizen science.
This evolution—from specimen collections to ecological insights and community-driven data—has made Karnataka a model for Indian ornithology. Salim Ali's legacy endures, inspiring sanctuaries, research, and birders across the state.
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