Avian Species Richness and Feeding Guild Patterns in Urban Lakes of Mysore, Southern India

This study investigates the avian diversity in two freshwater lakes, Hinkal Lake and Bogadi Lake, located in Mysore city of Karnataka, India. Both lakes are subjected to pollution from domestic waste and have distinct hydrological and vegetative characteristics. Data were collected from November 2024 to February 2025 through bi-monthly surveys, by total count method. A total of 2042 individual birds, representing 89 species across 17 orders and 41 families, were recorded. Bogadi Lake exhibited higher species diversity and evenness compared to Hinkal Lake, with notable species from families like Ardeidae, Accipitridae, and Sturnidae. The study identified eight feeding guilds, with carnivorous birds being dominant. Temporal changes in bird populations were linked to fluctuating water levels and increasing temperatures. The results highlight the importance of these urban lakes as critical habitats for migratory and resident birds, particularly in the winter season, and em phasize the role of vegetation and wetland features in shaping avian diversity.