Comparative study of bird communities in urban academic campuses and riparian habitats of Patna, Bihar, India

Urban and riparian habitats play distinct roles in supporting avian biodiversity amidst urbanization. This study compares bird assemblages in urban academic campuses and riparian zones along the Ganges River in Patna, Bihar, India, from February to April 2025. Using point count surveys, 62 bird species were recorded. Urban academic campuses (e.g. Patna Science College) were found to have higher species richness than the riparian zones. Probable reason could be greater anthropogenic disturbances in riparian areas (ghats). Cotton tree (Bombax ceiba) served as a keystone species in both the habitats, supporting diverse avian assemblages. Heron species showed nesting preferences for sacred fig (Ficus religiosa) and cluster fig (Ficus racemosa) in urban campuses and mango tree (Mangifera indica) and royal poinciana (Delonix regia) in riparian zones. These findings underscore the need for urban planning to mitigate anthropogenic impacts in riparian zones and preserve green spaces on academic campuses for avian conservation.