102 bird species documented during Campus Bird Count 2026 at Mangalore University

The Campus Bird Count (CBC) – 2026 conducted by Mangalore University in its campus in Mangaluru documented 102 bird species.

Significantly, the nocturnal Sri Lankan Frogmouth was sighted and Western Ghats endemic species Flame-throated Bulbul was recorded during the survey, according to M. S. Mustak, Professor and Chairman of the Department of Applied Zoology at the university.

The survey was conduced for four days from February 13. It was organized by the department in collaboration with the Natural History Association as part of the global Great Backyard Bird Count, coordinated in India by Bird Count India. The university has been actively participating in this citizen science initiative for the past nine years, he said.

Systematic bird observations were conducted across wooded patches, open fields, and water bodies within the campus using standardized point count and transect methods. The approach ensured careful documentation of species presence, abundance, and habitat associations, Mr. Mustak said.

Common birds

Among the commonly recorded species were Purple Sunbird, Red-whiskered Bulbul, Golden Oriole, Black-hooded Oriole, Black Drongo, Vernal Hanging-Parrot, and Asian Green Bee-eater. The nesting behaviour of the Pale-billed Flowerpecker was a notable observation.

Shikra
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SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT

Yellow naped woodpecker
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SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT

Black headed ibis
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Indian roller
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Black drongo
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Ashy drongo
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Migratory birds

Migratory species such as the Indian Golden Oriole, Ashy Drongo, Indian Pitta, Grey Wagtail, and Barn Swallow were also sighted. Western Ghats endemic species, including the Flame-throated Bulbul, were documented while the Black-headed Ibis, categorized as near threatened, added conservation importance to the survey.

The nocturnal Sri Lankan Frogmouth was another significant sighting.

Long-term biodiversity record

The university’s participation in CBC has steadily documented avian diversity — 77 species in 2016, 95 in 2017, 110 in 2018, 107 in 2019, 103 in 2020, 108 in 2021, 103 in 2022, 114 in 2024, and 104 species in 2025.

Over nine years, the campus has cumulatively recorded 161 bird species, Mr. Mustak said.

He described the CBC as “an excellent academic platform that integrates field-based learning with biodiversity conservation.”

He emphasized that consistent participation over the years has generated valuable baseline data to monitor ecological changes within the campus ecosystem.

Deepak Naik, a guest faculty at the department, was the co-cordinator of CBC-2026.

The survey brought together 20 participants, including faculty members, research scholars, post-graduate students, and four alumni birders of the department. It also witnessed participation from three school students and a faculty member from the Department of Physics.