UTTAR PRADESH JOURNAL OF ZOOLOGY

The present study was undertaken to assess bird diversity on the campus of Lal Bahadur Shastri Mahavidyalaya, Dharmabad, Nanded, Maharashtra, India. A well-organised survey was conducted at various locations on the campus from August 2025 to July 2026. A total of 41 bird species representing 12 orders, 27 families, and 36 genera were reported during the study period. The order Passeriformes was dominant, with 16 bird species. The family Sylviinae was the most abundant. Birds are important biotic components of ecosystems and contribute to various ecological services, including pollination, seed dispersal, biological control, and food chains. Birds play a crucial role in ecological functioning and are highly sensitive to climate change and habitat destruction. They occupy diverse habitats, including agricultural land, grassland, scrubland, woodland, water bodies, natural cliffs, and rural and urban areas. Most bird species belonged to the insectivorous feeding guild, followed by omnivores and carnivores, with nectarivores being the least represented. In addition, three mixed feeding guilds were recorded: granivore–frugivore, granivore–insectivore, and frugivore–insectivore. The IUCN status of all recorded birds was Least Concern (LC), indicating that the species were reported as well adapted, stable, and protected within the college campus area. Because the campus contains diverse habitats, it provides feeding areas, nesting sites, breeding habitats, and extensive foraging grassland for resident bird species. This study establishes baseline information on bird diversity, habitat use, migratory status, occurrence, feeding guild, endemicity, and IUCN status on the campus. The abundance of birds reflects the richness of the habitat, the eco-friendly environment, and the availability of natural resources such as water bodies, grasslands, teakwood plantations, amla plantations, and forest patches.