Bird Walk at Mhatoba Hill/Tekdi, Pune, Maharashtra

About Mhatoba Hill, Pune

Mhatoba Hill, or Mhatoba Tekdi, is a prominent green hill within Pune’s Vetal Hill–Mhatoba Hill complex. The landscape consists of rocky slopes, grass-covered stretches, scrub, woodland patches, and areas of native vegetation, creating a varied urban hill ecosystem. During the monsoon, the hillsides become greener as seasonal grasses, herbs, flowers, and other plants emerge, while rain-fed streams and moist patches add to the habitat diversity. The hill’s natural trails and relatively open landscape provide opportunities to observe birds, insects, plants, and other wildlife within the city.

Despite being surrounded by Pune’s expanding urban landscape, Mhatoba Tekdi retains important green and natural areas. The hill has faced pressures from development, tree cutting, and other human activities, highlighting the need to protect its remaining vegetation and open habitats. Maintaining native vegetation, managing visitor disturbance, and protecting the hill slopes can help preserve its ecological character. As part of Pune’s wider network of urban hills, Mhatoba Tekdi provides a valuable natural refuge and contributes to the city’s remaining biodiversity-rich landscapes.

Bird walk Location

Common birds of Mhatoba Hill

Mhatoba Hill supports a diverse mix of birds associated with rocky hills, scrub, grassland, and woodland habitats. Indian Peafowl, Grey Francolin, Spotted Dove, and Laughing Dove are among the birds found in the open and scrubby areas, while Greater Coucal and Asian Koel are associated with thicker vegetation. The hill also supports several raptors, including Black-winged Kite and Black Kite, with the Black-winged Kite observed carrying a kill. Cuckoos such as Fork-tailed Drongo-Cuckoo and Common Hawk-Cuckoo add to the diversity. Trees and shrubs provide habitat for Coppersmith Barbet, Plum-headed Parakeet, Indian Golden Oriole, Common Iora, Rufous Treepie, and Common Myna, while Grey-breasted Prinia, Jungle Prinia, Ashy Prinia, Yellow-eyed Babbler, Large Grey Babbler, and the two bulbul species are associated with the scrub and grassland habitats. Together, these species reflect the varied birdlife supported by Mhatoba Hill’s mosaic of natural habitats.