Tamil Nadu Synchronised Bird Survey 2025-2026 The Tamil Nadu Forest Department has been conducting State-wide synchronised bird survey annually from the year 2023 onwards to monitor avifaunal diversity and strengthen conservation planning across the State. As part of this initiative, the Tamil Nadu Forest Department conducted the Tamil Nadu Synchronised Wetland Bird Survey on 27th and 28th December 2025 and the Tamil Nadu Synchronised Terrestrial Bird Survey on 14th and 15th February 2026 with the active participation of forest officials, bird experts, volunteers and bird watchers. The Wetland Bird Survey covered 1005 wetlands across all 38 districts of Tamil Nadu, including lakes, irrigation tanks, marshlands, reservoirs, estuaries and other important water bodies. During the survey, a total of 393 bird species associated with wetland ecosystems were recorded with an overall direct population count of 6,01,348 birds. Among these, 116 species were waterbirds and 131 species were migratory birds with a population count of 1,59,557 individuals, highlighting the importance of wetlands of Tamil Nadu as critical habitats along the Central Asian Flyway. Commonly recorded species included Little Cormorant, Glossy Ibis, Little Egret, Eastern Cattle Egret, Indian Pond Heron, Northern Pintail, Little Stint, Greater Flamingo and Garganey. The survey also documented presence of 35 species falling under threatened categories of the IUCN Red List. The Synchronised Terrestrial Bird Survey was conducted across 1108 terrestrial bird survey spots covering forest habitats and terrestrial ecosystems in all 38 districts of Tamil Nadu. A total of 391 bird species were recorded with a direct population count of 2,24,801 birds. Of these, 228 species were resident birds and 72 species were migratory birds. The survey documented presence of 36 bird species belonging to threatened categories of the IUCN Red List, indicating the ecological significance of Tamil Nadu's forest and terrestrial habitats. Important bird species recorded during the survey included Knob-billed Duck, Cotton Pygmy-Goose, Garganey, Northern Shoveler, Eurasian Wigeon, Northern Pintail, Red Spurfowl, Painted Bush-Quail, Nilgiri Wood-Pigeon, Oriental Turtle-Dove, Asian Emerald Dove, Green Imperial-Pigeon, Malabar Imperial-Pigeon, Sri Lankan Frogmouth. Tamil Nadu supports rich avifaunal diversity owing to the presence of extensive wetland ecosystems, forests, coastal habitats, estuaries, mangroves, reservoirs and thousands of irrigation tanks that provide vital feeding, breeding and resting habitats for birds. Hon'ble Minister of Forests and Hon'ble Minister of Environment released the survey reports on 5th June, 2026 on the occasion of World Environment Day, highlighting long-term monitoring of avian diversity of the state towards achieving our conservation goals through scientific management of critical habitats. Additional Chief Secretary to Government Environment, Climate Change and Forest Department Issued By: - DIPR, Secretariat, Chennai - 9