BIRDS DIVERSITY

PASSERINE AND SMALL BIRDS

Passerines and other small birds represent one of the most diverse and widespread components of the Indus Delta’s mangrove ecosystem. This group includes insectivorous, granivorous, and nectar-feeding species that occupy a variety of microhabitats, ranging from dense mangrove canopies and shrub layers to saltmarsh edges and adjoining agricultural landscapes. Their high species richness reflects the structural complexity of the habitat, where foliage density, flowering mangroves, and seasonal insect abundance provide continuous foraging opportunities throughout the year.

Steppe Eagle in the Indus Delta Least concern

Barn Swallow

Hirundo rustica

Habitat Open coastal airspace, mangrove margins, agricultural areas, and any open habitat near water.
Diet Flying insects caught entirely in the air during long, sweeping aerial foraging flights.
Steppe Eagle in the Indus Delta Least concern

Bay-backed Shrike

Lanius vittatus

Habitat Open scrubland, dry thorn-scrub, mangrove margins, and coastal plains with scattered bushes.
Diet Large insects, small lizards, frogs, and occasionally small birds; prey is sometimes impaled on thorns.
Steppe Eagle in the Indus Delta Least concern

Black Drongo

Dicrurus macrocercus

Habitat Open scrubland, mangrove edges, agricultural margins, and any open habitat with exposed perches.
Diet Flying insects, particularly bees, wasps, and dragonflies, caught in aggressive aerial sallies.
Steppe Eagle in the Indus Delta Least concern

Citrine Wagtail

Motacilla citreola

Habitat Wet meadows, flooded coastal plains, mangrove mudflat margins, and shallow wetland edges.
Diet Aquatic insects, small invertebrates, and worms caught at the water margin.
Steppe Eagle in the Indus Delta Least concern

Clamorous Reed Warbler

Acrocephalus stentoreus

Habitat Dense mangrove reedbeds, marshy coastal vegetation, and rank vegetation near water.
Diet Insects, larvae, and small invertebrates gleaned from stems and leaves within dense reedbed cover.
Steppe Eagle in the Indus Delta Least concern

Common Myna

Acridotheres tristis

Habitat Agricultural land, human settlements, open scrubland, and mangrove margins near villages.
Diet Insects, earthworms, fruits, grains, scraps, and small vertebrates — a highly adaptable omnivore.
Steppe Eagle in the Indus Delta Least concern

Common Tailorbird

Orthotomus sutorius

Habitat Dense mangrove understorey, scrub thickets, gardens, and any dense low vegetation.
Diet Insects, larvae, spiders, and small invertebrates gleaned from foliage in dense cover.
Steppe Eagle in the Indus Delta Least concern

Gray Wagtail

Motacilla cinerea

Habitat Rocky stream edges, mangrove creek banks, and any fast-flowing or rocky coastal water body.
Diet Aquatic insects, mayflies, midges, and small invertebrates caught near fast-moving water.
Steppe Eagle in the Indus Delta Least concern

House Sparrow

Passer domesticus

Habitat Human settlements adjacent to the project area, agricultural margins, and scrubland near buildings
Diet Seeds, grains, insects, and human food waste; an adaptable and highly social species.
Steppe Eagle in the Indus Delta Least concern

Indian Paradise Flycatcher

Terpsiphone paradisi

Habitat Dense mangrove woodland, coastal forest patches, and shaded vegetation with tall canopy cover.
Diet Flying insects caught in rapid aerial sallies from a perch within dense vegetation.
Steppe Eagle in the Indus Delta Least concern

Indian Robin

Copsychus fulicatus

Habitat Dry scrubland, rocky coastal areas, mangrove edges, and open ground with scattered rocks and debris.
Diet Insects, small invertebrates, and worms caught on or near the ground by a short chase.
Steppe Eagle in the Indus Delta Least concern

Indian White-eye

Zosterops palpebrosus

Habitat Mangrove canopy, coastal woodland, gardens, and flowering vegetation at the delta margin.
Diet Nectar, small fruits, insects, and spiders taken from foliage; an important mangrove pollinator.
Steppe Eagle in the Indus Delta Least concern

Jungle Babbler

Turdoides striata

Habitat Dense scrubland, mangrove edge thickets, gardens, and scrub woodland near human settlements.
Diet Insects, small lizards, invertebrates, seeds, and berries foraged noisily in groups through dense cover.
Steppe Eagle in the Indus Delta Least concern

Pied Bushchat

Saxicola caprata

Habitat Open scrubland, coastal grassland, mangrove margins, and any open habitat with scattered bushes and perches.
Diet Insects, small invertebrates, and spiders caught by dropping from elevated perches onto the ground.
Steppe Eagle in the Indus Delta Least concern

Purple Sunbird

Cinnyris asiaticus

Habitat Flowering vegetation at mangrove edges, gardens, scrubland, and open woodland.
Diet Nectar probed from flowers using a curved bill; also takes spiders and small insects.
Steppe Eagle in the Indus Delta Least concern

Red-vented Bulbul

Pycnonotus cafer

Habitat Mangrove edge vegetation, gardens, scrubland, plantations, and open woodland near the delta.
Diet Fruits, berries, flower buds, nectar, and insects gleaned from vegetation.
Steppe Eagle in the Indus Delta Least concern

Rosy Starling

Pastor roseus

Habitat Open grasslands, agricultural land, scrubland, and mangrove edge areas with fruiting vegetation.
Diet Insects, fruits, berries, and nectar; a highly mobile opportunist that congregates where food is abundant.
Steppe Eagle in the Indus Delta Least concern

Rufous-fronted Prinia

Prinia buchanani

Habitat Dry scrubland, thorny coastal vegetation, and open grassland with sparse bushes near the mangrove edge.
Diet Insects, larvae, and small invertebrates gleaned from foliage and stems in low, dense vegetation.
Steppe Eagle in the Indus Delta Least concern

Sand Lark

Alaudala raytal

Habitat Sandy riverbanks, sandy coastal beaches, estuarine sandbars, and open ground near the water's edge.
Diet Small seeds, insects, and invertebrates picked from the surface of sandy ground.
Steppe Eagle in the Indus Delta Least concern

Western yellow Wagtail

Motacilla alba

Habitat Wet grasslands, coastal mudflats, agricultural margins, and open ground near mangrove edges.
Diet Flying insects, small invertebrates, and worms caught at the surface of wet mud and grass.
Steppe Eagle in the Indus Delta Least concern

White-browed Fantail

Rhipidura aureola

Habitat Dense mangrove understorey, scrub woodland, and thickets near coastal wetlands.
Diet Flying insects caught in active aerial sallies, typically within 2 metres of the ground.
Steppe Eagle in the Indus Delta Least concern

White-eared Bulbul

Pycnonotus leucotis

Habitat Mangrove edge scrub, dense coastal vegetation, gardens, and plantations near the delta.
Diet Fruits, berries, flower nectar, and insects gleaned from foliage and flowering shrubs.
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Steppe Eagle in the Indus Delta Least concern

Wire-tailed Swallow

Hirundo smithii

Habitat Open areas near water, mangrove creek margins, estuaries, and coastal settlements with access to open airspace.
Diet Flying insects caught entirely in the air during sustained, acrobatic aerial foraging.
Steppe Eagle in the Indus Delta Least concern

White Wagtail

Motacilla alba

Habitat Coastal mudflats, mangrove creek margins, wet grasslands, and open ground near water.
Diet Insects, small invertebrates, and worms picked from the ground surface.