An evolving avian world amid a concrete jungle

When out on an owl prowl in Karachi, it is unlikely that one will be disappointed. The metropolis, even with its characteristic jungle of concrete and unhealthy air, has, seemingly, turned into a magnanimous owls’ nest- so observe its bird conservationists and wildlife photographers.

For one, bird conservationist Zohaib Ahmed has noticed a significant increase in the number of barn owls perched on window ledges, tree branches and other places the nocturnal birds deem fit for rest in cantonment areas near Nagin Chowarangi.

“And they are also seen at other locations in the city,” he told The Express Tribune, reiterating that the population of owls had grown considerably in the port city.

Similarly, Jaffar Mandhro, a wildlife photographer said he had observed a growth in the population of scoop owls in parts of Malir, and in that of barn owls elsewhere.

Why so?

Explaining the rationale behind the unusual occurrence, Ahmed said, “It is because they are getting favourable environment and food here.”

Plus, people generally don’t cause harm to birds in the city, he pointed out.

Elaborating further, Ahmed said, “The attitude of [Karachi’s] residents towards birds is changing. The people of Karachi love birds and the affection is visible with scores feeding them in old city areas.”

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“They don’t kill them. They love them,” he remarked.

However, it is not just owls that the city seems to have embraced in the recent days, according to wildlife photographer and conservationist Mirza Naeem Beg.

“The population of all bird species has gone up here,” he said, attributing the change to increase in awareness about protecting wildlife among the city’s residents.

No numbers

But like others, Beg is unable to give a number by which the birds’ population has gone up in the city.

“We don’t even have data of how many bird species are there in Karachi,” he said, albeit estimating that the number could be between 75 and 100.

“I recorded 48 species in Defence Housing Authority phase-VIII alone,” he added. “But old city areas are likely home to a larger variety.”

Sindh Wildlife Department chief conservationist Javed Ahmed Mahar raises the same issue.

“There is simply no data of the number of species of birds residing in Karachi,” he said. “Unfortunately, no survey [to count the number of species in the city] has been conducted thus far.”

House sparrows, common crows, feral pigeons, black kites, barn owls, common mynas, bank mynas, purple sunbirds, common tailors, red-vented bulbuls, Asian koels, black crowned night herons, cattle egrets, little swifts, red-wattled lapwings, laughing doves and rose-ringed parakeets are some that have chosen Karachi’s skies as their home and are often seen flying across it.

“But Karachi, [likely], has more birds than any other city in Pakistan,” reckoned Mahar, again stressing the need for a survey to record the metropolis’ bird population.

Published in The Express Tribune, January 17^th, 2021.