Mangaluru: St Aloysius (Deemed to be University) recorded 32 bird species during Campus Bird Count 2026 held last week, as part of the nationwide Great Backyard Bird Count organised by Bird Count India in collaboration with eBird.The four-day survey documented avian diversity across the 145-year-old, 37-acre green campus in the heart of the city. The count was conducted under the guidance of Kiran Vati K and Glavin Thomas Rodrigues, assistant professors in the department of zoology, with participation from faculty and students of the department.
Species recorded included rock pigeon, greater coucal, Asian koel, and Asian palm swift. Raptors such as black kite and Brahminy kite were also observed. Other species recorded were little cormorant, Eastern cattle egret, white-throated kingfisher, white-cheeked barbet, Malabar flameback, and rose-ringed parakeet. Seasonal and migratory visitors such as ashy drongo and green warbler were also noted.Nesting activity was observed on campus, including nests of red-whiskered bulbul. The Indian golden oriole, a seasonal breeding visitor to peninsular India, was recorded using suitable habitat within the campus. Insectivorous and nectar-feeding birds recorded included common tailorbird, gray-breasted prinia, pale-billed flowerpecker, purple-rumped sunbird, purple sunbird, and Loten’s sunbird. Other species noted were chestnut-tailed starling, common myna, jungle myna, orange-headed thrush, oriental magpie-robin, and white-rumped munia.The institution has been documenting birds since 2019.
