Feathered Frontiers: Avian Biodiversity in the Urban Wilds of North Bengaluru, Karnataka, India

Birds, as feathered vertebrates with lightweight skeletal structures, play an indispensable role in ecosystem stability. They contribute significantly to pollination, pest control, seed dispersal, and serve as vital links within food webs. Moreover, many bird species act as bioindicators, reflecting the health of the environment. However, escalating anthropogenic pressures—particularly the degradation and desiccation of freshwater habitats such as urban lakes—have led to habitat fragmentation and forced displacement of avian populations. This ecological imbalance disrupts trophic dynamics and threatens local biodiversity. Public awareness and environmental education, especially among youth, are essential for fostering conservation-minded attitudes. Promoting bird-watching and developing region-specific avifaunal guides can enhance understanding of bird behavior, migration, and habitat use, thereby inspiring collective action toward biodiversity preservation.