Once a city where mornings began with the calls of sparrows and koels, Bengaluru today wakes up instead to the relentless honking of traffic. The Garden City’s rapid urbanisation, exploding population, and unplanned development have taken a visible toll on its biodiversity—most strikingly on its once-rich birdlife.
In the 1980s and 1990s, Bengaluru was still a pensioners’ paradise, with open landscapes, tree-lined paths, and thriving wetlands. The Annotated Checklist of the Birds of Bangalore, compiled in 1994, recorded nearly 340 species within a 50-km radius of the city. Birds such as the Barred Jungle Owlet, once reported from areas like Rajajinagar and Doresanipalya, have now retreated to the fringes, surviving only in patches of forest in the Bannerghatta region. The Lesser Florican, presumed extinct since 1911, was briefly sighted in 2012 at Hesaraghatta but has not been spotted again.
Yet, some species continue to surprise. The Malabar Whistling Thrush, commonly observed in Nandi Hills, appeared on the GKVK campus in 1996 and more recently on the IISc campus, hinting at isolated pockets where nature manages to persist.
Changing species patterns across Bengaluru
A study by researchers from Azim Premji University and the Nature Conservation Foundation used eBird data to examine bird sightings over five years. Analysing a subset of 67 aquatic species, they discovered a sharp fall in migratory bird sightings and a simultaneous increase in resident birds.
Wetland species like the Northern Pintail, once common around Hebbal in 2010, have declined dramatically. In contrast, painted storks—an adaptable, resident species—have surged, benefitting from modified habitats.
Bengaluru currently has 391 recorded bird species, according to eBird, with 305 sighted in the past year. While the number appears impressive, it masks a deeper ecological imbalance. Experts say that cumulative species lists do not necessarily reflect real-time diversity or abundance, as many species are merely occasional visitors.
Wetlands turned into ‘soup bowls’
Many of the city’s wetlands have undergone drastic transformations. Traditionally, wetlands retained rainwater and supported diverse species through their natural shallows and vegetation layers. But Bengaluru’s urban planning has converted these ecosystems into deepened, stone-pitched lakes with walking tracks and raised bunds.
This “soup bowl” design eliminates shallow edges needed by wading birds such as stilts and sandpipers, while favouring species that thrive in deeper waters. The introduction of fish stocks further alters the food chain, pushing out specialised species and inviting only a handful of generalists.
Vegetation around these wetlands has also been heavily modified. Exotic trees, single-species plantations, and artificial Miyawaki forests have replaced multilayered natural vegetation consisting of grasses, shrubs, and trees. This has resulted in the loss of nesting sites, feeding zones, and shelter for several species.
Heat islands pushing wildlife away
With rising temperatures and expanding concrete surfaces, Bengaluru is experiencing severe heat extremes. Studies from the Indian Institute of Human Settlements, using eight years of eBird data, show that hotter neighbourhoods host fewer bird species. Wetlands and parks remain relatively cooler, offering crucial refuge, while densely built-up areas push species away.
Birdwatchers note that the city’s landscapes have become disturbingly repetitive—gardens with manicured lawns, parks with only tall trees, and few shrubs or bushy undergrowth. This uniformity favours generalist species but wipes out specialists that depend on specific habitats.
Citizen efforts and policy gaps
Despite these challenges, Bengaluru’s birdwatching community remains active. Citizen-sourced data on eBird, though imperfect, offers critical insights and often alerts authorities to ecological damage. Birdwatchers have played key roles in preventing habitat destruction, restoring green spaces, and even installing nest boxes.
Yet, the absence of robust, long-term biodiversity monitoring and policy stagnation remain major concerns. The city still relies on an outdated 2015 master plan. While recent initiatives such as the Bengaluru Climate Action Cell show promise, experts argue that biodiversity management must become central to urban planning.
For Bengaluru’s remaining green and blue spaces to survive, laws must emphasise ecological restoration rather than cosmetic infrastructure upgrades. Without this shift, the city risks losing not only its birds but also the environmental stability that once defined it