UTTAR PRADESH JOURNAL OF ZOOLOGY

Predatory birds (raptors) play a crucial role in maintaining ecological balance by regulating prey populations, facilitating nutrient cycling, and serving as indicators of ecosystem health. The present study documents the diversity, status, and habitat use of predatory birds in Pandharpur Tehsil, Solapur District, Maharashtra, India. Field surveys were conducted over a one-year period from December 2024 to November 2025 using transect walks and point-count methods across diverse habitats, including agricultural fields, wetlands, scrublands, and human-dominated landscapes. Observations were carried out during peak activity periods, and data on species identity, abundance, habitat preference, feeding behaviour, residential status, and conservation category were recorded. A total of 16 raptor species were recorded, representing three orders: Accipitriformes, Falconiformes, and Strigiformes. These species belonged to five families, namely Accipitridae, Falconidae, Pandionidae, Strigidae, and Tytonidae. The majority of species (11) were residents, while 5 species were identified as winter migrants, indicating the ecological importance of Pandharpur as both a year-round and seasonal refuge for raptors. Habitat preferences ranged from wetlands and riverine systems supporting fish-eating species such as the Brahminy Kite and Osprey to open farmlands, grasslands, and human settlements supporting generalist predators such as the Black Kite, Shikra, and Spotted Owlet. The conservation assessment revealed that most species were listed as Least Concern, while the Pallid Harrier was Near Threatened and the Greater Spotted Eagle was Vulnerable, emphasising the need for habitat protection, especially for wetlands and grasslands. This study highlights the taxonomic and functional diversity of predatory birds in Pandharpur, underlining the region’s significance for both resident and migratory raptor species and providing a baseline for future conservation and ecological studies.