St Aloysius University Records 32 Bird Species in Campus Bird Count 2026
St Aloysius (Deemed to be University) in Mangaluru has successfully recorded 32 distinct bird species during its Campus Bird Count 2026, held last week. This event was part of the nationwide Great Backyard Bird Count, organized by Bird Count India in collaboration with eBird, aiming to monitor and document avian populations across the country.
Four-Day Survey Highlights Campus Biodiversity
The comprehensive four-day survey meticulously documented avian diversity across the university's historic 145-year-old, 37-acre green campus, located in the heart of Mangaluru. The count was conducted under the expert guidance of Kiran Vati K and Glavin Thomas Rodrigues, assistant professors in the department of zoology, with active participation from faculty and students of the department.
Diverse Species Observed
The species recorded during the count showcased a rich variety of birds, including common residents and notable visitors. Among the documented species were:
- Common Birds: Rock pigeon, greater coucal, Asian koel, and Asian palm swift.
- Raptors: Black kite and Brahminy kite, indicating a healthy ecosystem.
- Water and Forest Birds: Little cormorant, Eastern cattle egret, white-throated kingfisher, white-cheeked barbet, Malabar flameback, and rose-ringed parakeet.
Seasonal and Migratory Visitors
The count also noted seasonal and migratory visitors, such as the ashy drongo and green warbler, highlighting the campus's role as a habitat for transient species. Additionally, nesting activity was observed, including nests of the red-whiskered bulbul, suggesting successful breeding on campus.
Notably, the Indian golden oriole, a seasonal breeding visitor to peninsular India, was recorded utilizing suitable habitat within the campus, underscoring the area's ecological value.
Insectivorous and Nectar-Feeding Birds
A variety of insectivorous and nectar-feeding birds were documented, contributing to the campus's biodiversity. These included:
- Common tailorbird
- Gray-breasted prinia
- Pale-billed flowerpecker
- Purple-rumped sunbird
- Purple sunbird
- Loten's sunbird
Other Notable Species
Other species noted during the count further enriched the record, such as:
- Chestnut-tailed starling
- Common myna
- Jungle myna
- Orange-headed thrush
- Oriental magpie-robin
- White-rumped munia
Long-Term Documentation Efforts
St Aloysius University has been consistently documenting bird species on its campus since 2019, demonstrating a commitment to environmental conservation and biodiversity research. This ongoing effort provides valuable data for understanding avian trends and promoting ecological awareness in urban settings.
