Pune: A rare and endangered Egyptian vulture was recently spotted soaring over Mahatma Tekdi in Kothrud, adding to a growing list of birds of prey in the city’s hill ecosystems. This is the first time the vulture, classified as endangered on the IUCN Red List of threatened Species, was recorded on Mahatma Tekdi.The vulture was spotted by wildlife biologist Arnav Gandhe, and birder and photographer Rohit Khare. The Egyptian vulture is a local migrant, as well as a winter migratory bird, in different parts of India. Gandhe said the spotting of the Egyptian vulture strengthens Mahatma Tekdi’s status as an important urban biodiversity hotspot. “The hill has witnessed a notable increase in raptor (birds of prey) activity this season, with recent sightings of Eurasian hobby, Amur falcon, steppe eagle, Eurasian sparrowhawk and Montagu’s harrier,” Gandhe explained.He added that despite being a small, landlocked hill in Kothrud, Mahatma Tekdi supports rich avian diversity. “More than 170 bird species, including resident and migratory birds, have been recorded here so far. Like other hills across Pune, Mahatma Tekdi functions as a natural island of biodiversity amid rapid urbanisation,” he said.Gandhe said that Pune’s hills remain an underrated habitat from a conservation perspective, despite showing potential comparable to better-known landscapes elsewhere in the country.He added, “India has recorded eight species of vultures, several of which have seen drastic population declines over the past few decades. The Indian vulture, white-rumped vulture and red-headed vulture are critically endangered, while the Egyptian vulture is listed as endangered. Each confirmed sighting therefore contributes valuable data on distribution and current population status. Egyptian vultures were also reported from Vetal Tekdi in Nov 2025 and in 2024, indicating that Pune’s hill chain may be increasingly used by the species.“
