Delhi has emerged as the world’s second-richest capital city for bird diversity after Nairobi, according to the first-ever Delhi Bird Atlas. The study, prepared by the Delhi Forest Department and Bird Count India, recorded 471 bird species across the city.
During the first year of surveys, researchers documented 221 species, including several endangered and near-threatened birds such as the Black-bellied Tern and Painted Stork. Experts say Delhi’s unique location near the Aravalli hills, the Yamuna floodplains, and the Central Asian Flyway makes it a crucial habitat for resident and migratory birds. The atlas will help conservationists and urban planners protect biodiversity while supporting sustainable city development.
