Bird Walk at Aamrai Forest, Sonegaon, Nagpur, Maharashtra

About Aamrai Forest

Aamrai Forest, located in the Sonegaon area of Nagpur near the old Airport Road and close to Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar International Airport, is one of the city’s most significant urban green spaces. Spread across a dense patch of woodland interspersed with old mango groves, the forest is believed to date back to the Bhonsle era and contains several heritage features, including a nearly 300-year-old well, ancient temples, and centuries-old trees. The forest serves as an important ecological corridor within the rapidly urbanizing landscape of Nagpur and is widely used by residents for nature walks, birdwatching, and environmental education. Recent citizen-led conservation initiatives such as the “Save Amrai” campaign have highlighted both its ecological and cultural importance.

The biodiversity of Aamrai Forest is remarkable for an urban habitat. Its mosaic of mature mango trees, banyan, neem, jamun, tamarind, palash, babul, and other native tree species provides food and shelter for a variety of wildlife. The area supports numerous bird species, including peafowl, cuckoos, bulbuls, mynas, and other common woodland birds, while also serving as habitat for small mammals, reptiles, and insects. Historically, the forest was known for its rich wildlife, including monkey populations and nesting vultures. Today, Aamrai functions as one of Nagpur’s remaining “green lungs,” helping regulate the local microclimate, improve air quality, conserve urban biodiversity, and provide ecological connectivity amidst expanding urban development.

Bird walk Location

Common birds of Aamrai Forest

Aamrai Forest supports a rich avifaunal diversity, with over 145 bird species recorded, making it one of Nagpur’s important urban bird habitats. The forest is home to a variety of woodland, scrubland, and urban-adapted birds, including charismatic species such as the Indian Paradise-Flycatcher, Indian Peafowl, Yellow-footed Green-Pigeon, Indian Golden Oriole, and Plum-headed Parakeet. Its dense tree cover and mixed vegetation provide suitable habitat for cuckoos such as the Asian Koel, Common Hawk-Cuckoo, Gray-bellied Cuckoo, and Fork-tailed Drongo-Cuckoo, while insectivorous birds like the Spot-breasted Fantail, Common Iora, Small Minivet, and Indian White-eye thrive in the canopy. The forest also supports common resident species including Rose-ringed Parakeet, Jungle Babbler, Red-vented Bulbul, White-browed Bulbul, Black Drongo, Long-tailed Shrike, Rufous Treepie, and Brahminy Starling. Open areas and nearby wetlands attract species such as Indian Thick-knee, Red-wattled Lapwing, Little Ringed Plover, Indian Pond-Heron, and White-throated Kingfisher, highlighting the habitat diversity of the site. This rich birdlife underscores the ecological importance of Aamrai Forest as a refuge for biodiversity within the urban landscape of Nagpur.