Grey-headed Canary Flycatcher to Pied Cuckoos: Why are birds migrating to habitations in Hyderabad

Hyderabad: Every year, Wildlife Conservation Day calls for attention toward species survival, habitat pressures, and the shifting patterns in the natural world.

In Hyderabad, a quiet mystery has been unfolding: new and unexpected bird species are appearing across the city.

From neighbourhood parks to urban lakes, birders have recorded unusual visitors in seasons when they weren’t expected and in habitats that don’t traditionally support them.

This pattern has raised questions about climate shifts, wetland loss, and long-distance migration changes, a complex mix of ecological signals that experts are now trying to decode.

Changing climate, changing routes

Scientists say that alterations in rainfall and temperature are leading many migratory birds to adjust their timelines or extend their stays.

Dr. Madhan Nair, a climate scientist, speaking to NewsMeter notes, “Bird migration is tightly linked to temperature cues and food availability. In the Deccan region, warmer winters and extended monsoons are affecting insect cycles, which in turn influence when and where birds move.”

For Hyderabad, early winter warmth has resulted in insect-rich urban pockets, especially near water bodies, becoming temporary stopover sites for birds that earlier bypassed the region entirely.

Monsoon variability and habitat `false signals'

Inconsistency in monsoon onset has also caused what researchers call “false environmental signals”.

Ecologist Dr. Sushma Reddy explains, “When monsoons are delayed or uneven, birds can mistake certain green flushes or humidity pockets as cues to pause migration. Hyderabad happens to produce several such microclimates due to its urban heat effects.”

Wetland loss and urban expansion

Hyderabad once hosted more than 3,000 lakes. Many have either shrunk or been encroached upon. As peri-urban wetlands decline, birds are forced to explore alternative feeding zones inside the city.

KBR Park naturalist Rafiuddin Shariff observes, “Birds that earlier settled in the wetland belts near Patancheru or Shamirpet are now seen in colonies around apartment gardens. They follow water and food. When one disappears, they search for the next best option.”

Species such as Pheasant-tailed Jacanas, Black-winged Stilts, and even occasional painted snipes have been sighted near restored civic ponds where aquatic vegetation survives due to community upkeep.

Urban Gardens Imitating Natural Habitats

Some urban spaces unintentionally imitate the ecological role of missing wetlands.

For example, sewage-fed patches along the Kukatpally stream channel sometimes attract Sandpipers or Egrets because micro-pools retain crustaceans.

Shariff adds, “These are not ideal habitats, but birds make do. Their presence is often a sign of loss elsewhere rather than gain here.”

Migration rerouted: Why new species are appearing

Local birding groups have been documenting sudden and repeated sightings of species not typically associated with the city.

Senior birder Anjana Mehta, who has tracked avian behaviour in the Deccan for 25 years, shares, “Ten years ago, spotting an Eurasian Marsh Harrier inside city limits was rare. Now it’s seen at multiple lakes. Even smaller species like the Blue-throated Blue Flycatcher are appearing more frequently during post-monsoon months.”

Hyderabadi birders have also reported unexpected arrivals like:

• Common Coots in new clusters at Sanjeevaiah Park

• Garganey ducks stopping at Ameenpur and Nizampet

• Oriental Honey Buzzards are seen in residential zones during peak summer

Attractiveness of Urban Food Sources

Cities generate unique food opportunities, fruiting trees, artificial lighting that draws insects, and domestic waste that scavenging species can exploit.

Mehta says, “Urban ecology is messy but edible. Birds will always explore areas where food density spikes.”

ICRISAT’s findings: Microclimate pockets in Hyderabad

ICRISAT researchers studying land surface temperature have identified micro-refugia, small zones where temperature remains cooler or moister than surrounding areas.

Dr. Nair elaborates, “These pockets act like temporary pit-stops. Some migrating birds may rest longer because conditions mimic the climate of their usual wintering sites.”

Changing Vegetation Maps

Vegetation mapping by the institute shows increased greening in gated communities and newly planted boulevards. Native and fruit-bearing plants (such as neem, jamun, and ficus species) now support frugivores and nectar feeders.

KBR Park: A natural lab for studying the bird boom

KBR Park hosts several micro-ecosystems, scrub forest, rocky outcrops, and shallow water pockets, offering a “staging ground” for both resident and visiting birds.

Naturalist Anita Thomas notes, “We see patterns early because KBR is surrounded by dense urban activity. When a new species enters Hyderabad, chances are it pauses here first.”

Recent unusual sightings at KBR include:

• Grey-headed Canary Flycatcher outside its typical winter range

• Paradise Flycatchers lingering longer into summer

• Pied Cuckoos are appearing earlier than usual before monsoon onset

What the mystery really signals

While new birds may thrill city residents, experts caution against assuming it indicates ecological improvement.

Dr. Reddy warns, “Movement does not automatically imply abundance. Birds shifting routes can point to habitat stress elsewhere.”

Cities as Accidental Refuges

In some cases, Hyderabad is becoming an accidental refuge for species that are losing ground in their traditional habitats across Andhra, Karnataka, or Central India.

Thomas states, “Cities should not replace wild habitats. At best, they can provide temporary relief.”

Citizen science and what residents can do

Most discoveries are made because residents document their sightings. Hyderabad’s birding community contributes thousands of data points every year.

Mehta emphasises, “Every logged sighting helps scientists understand shifts. Citizen records have become essential for mapping these changes.”

How communities can support urban birdlife

• Preserve local trees and avoid indiscriminate trimming

• Protect community ponds and rainwater harvesting structures

• Plant native species that support insects and fruits

• Reduce night-time light pollution

• Avoid chemical pesticides in gardens

Conclusion: a call to action on wildlife conservation day

The arrival of new birds in Hyderabad is not just a curiosity; it is an ecological message. On Wildlife Conservation Day, the city is reminded that migration patterns act as barometers of larger climate and habitat trends. Understanding these changes, supporting urban green pockets, and protecting remaining wetlands will determine whether Hyderabad remains a temporary stopover or becomes a sustainable refuge for India’s avian travelers.