Welcome to Ornithology.in
This is a platform that brings together resources for those interested in the academic study of birds.
Although most of the resources here are focused on ornithology, many of them are relevant for students and researchers in ecology, wildlife, and conservation.
Explore the resources through the menu and links on this homepage. If you feel something is missing or would like us to add new material, we would be happy to hear from you. Write to us at [email protected]. Your suggestions would help us make this platform more useful for everyone.
Career advice in Ornithology
Select where you are at
Career advice in Ornithology
Select where you are at
School Students
Applying for a Bachelor’s
Pursuing a Bachelor’s
Applying for a Master’s
Pursuing a Master’s
Applying for a PhD
Pursuing a PhD
Life after PhD
Wildlife Academic Courses
Wildlife-related BSc, MSc, Diploma Courses in India
Choosing the right course is often the first step in shaping a career. Yet finding a programme that truly matches your interests and aspirations can feel overwhelming. To make this easier, we’ve compiled a list of BSc, MSc, and Diploma courses in wildlife, ecology, and related fields offered across India. This resource is designed to help you discover opportunities, compare options, and plan your academic path with clarity and confidence.
Key Research Questions
What’s next for Indian Ornithology? 101 key research questions
India is home to an incredible diversity of birds, yet there is still so much we don’t fully understand about their lives, behaviours, and conservation. At the same time, as students and researchers, it can be difficult to know which questions to pursue.
To help future research, ornithologists from across the country identified 101 key research questions in Indian ornithology. Each question is accompanied by an annotation with background and examples.
- What are the patterns and variations in life history traits of India’s birds?
- What physiological and behavioural adaptations allow birds to persist in different climatic zones?
- How do birds learn to avoid aposematic prey?
- What are the effects of climate change on the demography of birds?
- How rapidly are different bird habitats changing across India?
- What is the geographical variation of rarity and abundance in Indian birds?
- What are the phylogeographic patterns of disjunctly distributed species across the Indian subcontinent?
- What are the patterns and variations in life history traits of India’s birds?
- What physiological and behavioural adaptations allow birds to persist in different climatic zones?
- How do birds learn to avoid aposematic prey?
- What are the effects of climate change on the demography of birds?
Meet a Researcher
Nilutpal Mahanta, PhD
“During my PhD field work, I mistakenly entered a private property (as there was no demarcation between Government land and private property) and the consequences were not good. The owner came running towards us, cursing us on the top of his voice. So much was their anger that the lady owner even tried to throw sharp knives at us, assuming we were trespassers. It took us almost an hour to calm them down and make them understand our work.”
Ashwin C P
“It was early morning, and the forest was shrouded in mist. As I carefully walked through the dense undergrowth, I heard its distinctive two-note whistle. My excitement grew as I followed the sound, hoping for a rare sighting. Suddenly, there it was – hopping gracefully among the fallen leaves, its vibrant plumage a striking contrast to the forest floor.”
Soniya Devi Yambem
“Observing birds and their surrounding nature every day in the field helped me develop a curiosity about the birds: what are they eating, why some are vocalizing while others are not, why a particular call makes the whole group fly and seek shelter even if it is not the call of its own species, and so on. This innate curiosity expressed itself naturally and that is how the decision to follow a career in the field of ornithology was made for me.”
Directory of Ornithologists
Ornithology Course
Basic Course in Ornithology (NPTEL)
This course in Basic Ornithology is hosted on the Government of India’s Swayam-NPTEL platform. It is a 3-month, purely online course that introduces participants to the scientific study of birds, covering topics like bird anatomy, physiology, taxonomy, behaviour, and conservation. It is designed for Bachelor’s and Master’s students in the life sciences and it can be taken for academic credit. It is also useful for birdwatchers and nature enthusiasts who wish to learn about the formal discipline of ornithology.