Bird Walk at IIT Bombay, Mumbai, Maharashtra

  • Mumbai
  • 26 July, 2026
  • Megha Gupta

About IIT Bombay

Nestled between the bustling suburbs of Mumbai and the serene expanse of Powai Lake, the IIT Bombay campus is a remarkable urban biodiversity hotspot. Spread across a vast green landscape, the campus hosts a mosaic of habitats—dense wooded patches, open grasslands, wetlands, and tree-lined avenues—that support a rich variety of flora and fauna. Native trees, flowering plants, and seasonal vegetation create layered habitats that attract everything from colorful butterflies and insects to a diverse array of birds. Early mornings here are especially magical, with calls of barbets, sunbirds, woodpeckers, and raptors echoing through the campus, making it a favorite among birders and nature enthusiasts alike.
However, maintaining this delicate balance within a rapidly urbanizing city comes with its challenges. Increasing human activity, infrastructure expansion, and habitat fragmentation pose risks to the biodiversity that thrives here. Changes in vegetation structure and disturbance to nesting sites can impact several species over time. Yet, IIT Bombay stands as a strong example of how green campuses can act as vital refuges for urban wildlife. With continued awareness, responsible use of spaces, and conservation-minded planning, it can remain a thriving ecosystem—offering not just a place for learning and innovation, but also a living classroom of nature.

Bird Guide - Megha Gupta

Megha is an avid birder with over 6 years of experience, based on the IIT Bombay campus. An AI professional and educator at heart, she has led multiple bird walks and completed formal birding courses. Her approach goes beyond identification, focusing on understanding bird behavior, habitats, and their role in the larger ecosystem.

Bird walk Location

Common birds of IIT Bombay

The IIT Bombay campus offers a vibrant birding experience where wetlands, wooded patches, and open spaces come together to support an impressive diversity of birdlife. Around its water bodies, species like Grey-headed Swamphens move gracefully through vegetation, while Bronze-winged Jacanas walk delicately over floating plants. Flocks of Whiskered Terns skim across the water, and herons—ranging from Purple Herons to Indian Pond-Herons—quietly hunt along the edges. The presence of ibises, including Glossy and Red-naped Ibises, adds depth to the wetland ecosystem, while large numbers of Black Kites soaring overhead bring constant motion to the sky. Beyond the wetlands, the campus trees and open areas are alive with activity. Bright flashes of Indian Golden Orioles and the chatter of parakeets—both Alexandrine and Rose-ringed—bring color and sound to the landscape. Smaller birds like Coppersmith Barbets, Asian Green Bee-eaters, and Spot-breasted Fantails keep the canopy lively, while familiar species like Asian Koels and Black Drongos add to the everyday charm. Even the adaptable Rock Pigeon finds its place here, reflecting the blend of urban and natural habitats that define IIT Bombay as a thriving birding hotspot.
Greater Coucal
Asian Koel
Grey-headed Swamphen
White-breasted Waterhen
Red-wattled Lapwing

Bronze-winged Jacana
Little Cormorant
Glossy Ibis
Red-naped Ibis
Little Egret
Indian Pond-Heron
Eastern Cattle Egret
Asian Pied Starling
Intermediate Egret
Purple Heron
Black Kite
Asian Green Bee-eater
Coppersmith Barbet
Alexandrine Parakeet
Rose-ringed Parakeet

Summary of Walk

The guided bird walk at IIT Bombay, led by Megha Gupta, welcomed 20 participants for a lively morning exploring the institute’s lakes, wetlands, and woodland habitats. Pleasant weather and active birdlife ensured an exciting start to the trail, where participants immediately encountered numerous wetland birds. The walk encouraged birdwatchers of all ages—including a young toddler—to observe carefully while learning how to distinguish between commonly seen black-coloured birds such as drongos, cormorants, and koels. Although a brief spell of rain interrupted the session, it quickly passed, allowing the group to continue exploring and eventually record a total of 27 bird species.

Some of the morning’s highlights included observing Bronze-winged Jacanas taking their characteristic short flights, spotting four Indian Grey Hornbills, and enjoying repeated close views of the vibrant White-throated Kingfisher. Participants also appreciated sightings of the Ashy Prinia, while engaging discussions throughout the walk enhanced everyone’s understanding of bird identification and behaviour. IIT Bombay’s mosaic of wetlands and wooded areas supports an impressive diversity of urban wildlife, making it one of Mumbai’s hidden birdwatching hotspots. The walk demonstrated how educational birding experiences can inspire curiosity, encourage closer observation of nature, and strengthen appreciation for the biodiversity thriving within urban campuses.

Number of Participants
0
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ATAAVI Bird Foundation is a non-profit organization dedicated to fostering a deeper connection between people and the avian diversity of India. Through advocacy, education and conservation efforts, we strive to increase awareness and appreciation for birds across communities.

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