Migratory Birds of Ranchi: Seasonal Occurrence, Origins, Migration Patterns, and Conservation Implications
Authors: Manoj Kumar
Accepted for Publication January 2026 | Volume 2, Issue 1, OM03
Abstract
Ranchi, capital of Jharkhand located on the Chota Nagpur Plateau in eastern India, serves as a critical inland node for migratory birds traveling along the Central Asian Flyway (CAF). The city’s reservoirs—most notably Dhurwa (Hatia) Dam, Rukka/Getalsud Reservoir, and Kanke Dam—support a diverse assemblage of Palearctic waterfowl, passerines, and passage migrants throughout the year. This article provides a comprehensive synthesis of the seasonal patterns of occurrence, species origins, migration drivers, and conservation concerns associated with these migrants, anchored by verifiable site-level records and peer-reviewed ecological theory. Key findings include: (1) autumn passage by species such as Garganey and Whiskered Tern; (2) peak winter occupation by ducks like Northern Shoveler, Gadwall, Eurasian Wigeon, Common Teal, and diving ducks such as Red-crested and Common Pochard, along with terrestrial migrants like Bluethroat, wagtails, Black Redstart, and Siberian Stonechat; (3) spring northbound passage; and (4) monsoon-season influxes of local avian fauna. Underpinning this phenology are optimal migration strategies, resource-based stopover ecology, and climatic gradients, with broader conservation implications for habitat management, policy, and community-level bird conservation actions in the CAF context.
Keywords: migratory, birds, seasonal occurrence, patterns of migration, conservation, Ranchi, wetlands, Jharkhand, India
DOI: https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.17990768
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