BIRDS DIVERSITY

GROUND & SCRUB BIRDS

Ground and scrub birds form an important but often less conspicuous component of the Indus Delta’s mangrove-associated biodiversity. These species are typically adapted to open ground, sandy margins, saltmarsh edges, and low-vegetation scrub habitats that occur along the transitional zones between mangroves and adjoining dry landscapes. Their morphology and behaviour are well suited for terrestrial foraging, with many species relying on ground-level insects, seeds, and small invertebrates as primary food sources.
Steppe Eagle in the Indus Delta Near Threatened

Great Thick-knee

Esacus recurvirostris

Habitat Sandy intertidal beaches, shingle banks, river sandbars, and sparsely vegetated coastal shores.
Diet Crabs, large invertebrates, small fish, frogs, and lizards caught on open sandy or rocky ground at night.
Steppe Eagle in the Indus Delta Least concern

Asian Koel

Eudynamys scolopaceus

Habitat Dense mangrove canopy, coastal woodland, gardens, and fruiting trees at the delta margin.
Diet Fruits, berries, figs, and occasionally insects and small vertebrates taken from dense tree canopy.
Steppe Eagle in the Indus Delta Least concern

Common Crane

Grus grus

Habitat Open grassland, agricultural fields, coastal plains, and dry floodplain margins near the delta.
Diet Plant matter, grains, roots, invertebrates, small reptiles, and rodents foraged from open ground in flocks.
Steppe Eagle in the Indus Delta Least concern

Eurasian Hoopoe

Upupa epops

Habitat Open ground with sparse vegetation, sandy coastal margins, scrubland, and mangrove edges.
Diet Beetle larvae, earthworms, crickets, and small reptiles probed from soil and leaf litter using a long, curved bill.
Steppe Eagle in the Indus Delta Least concern

Greater Coucal

Centropus sinensis

Habitat Dense mangrove edge vegetation, scrub thickets, coastal woodland, and rank vegetation near water.
Diet Large insects, small reptiles, frogs, small mammals, bird eggs, and nestlings taken opportunistically from dense cover.