We examined the cultural significance of commensal avian scavenger species—vultures, kites, and crows—and their exploitation of anthropogenic resources and sentiments within Delhi's urban landscapes. For this, we investigated the intrinsic values attributed to these birds by people, which are indicative of complex, rapidly urbanizing social-ecological systems. Semi-structured interviews revealed folk perceptions intertwined with socio-cultural narratives and traditions, shaped by observations of avian morphology, ecology, and behavior. Birds' nesting habits, habitats, home ranges, and foraging behaviors affected people's perceptions, while ecosystem services inspired zoomorphism and anthropomorphism via vernacular-nomenclature (e.g., chidiya collectively for songbirds, giddha for scavenging raptors). Culturally rooted perceptions, which informed ritual feeding practices and shaped prevalent attitudes toward commensal species, fostered mutual tolerance, and brought people into closer contact with urban biodiversity. Such physical and cultural proximity is a defining characteristic distinguishing tropical urban ecosystems from their Western counterparts. We also uncovered the web of social-technological influences on animal-related folk stories. The urbanization of perceptions in vulture extinction zones revealed shifts in social–ecological relationships with wildlife. It adds cultural dimensions to the currently appreciated keystone status of vultures, vital for their erstwhile coexistence at extremely high densities in South Asia. Urban transformations, technological advancements, and media exposure potentially reshaped human–animal interface, with media misinformation affecting personalized ecologies. Conflicts and health concerns arose from media narratives on garbage-consuming animals. Our findings offer insights to prevent severing of people and nature connections due to urbanization (e.g., technological applications can integrate scientific knowledge with biocultural narratives and folklore), promoting a new-age eco-literacy.
LAY SUMMARY
Biodiversity provides a variety of ecosystem services. We investigated the cultural significance of avian scavengers (vultures, kites, and crows) in Delhi's urban landscapes. These birds exploit human resources, religious sentiments, and philanthropic attitudes, becoming integral to the city's social–ecological systems. In turn, they provide vital scavenging and cultural services.
Individuals' perceptions of these scavengers originate from cultural background. These perceptions nurture tolerance and promote a connection between people and urban biodiversity. Perceptions are influenced by birds' behaviors, morphology/aesthetics, and their ecosystem services.
Our ethnographic research highlights the impact of urbanization and media on these human–animal relationships. However, media-driven misinformation can lead to conflicts, affecting well-being.
Technological advancements offer opportunities to integrate scientific knowledge with biocultural narratives, promoting the ability to understand human-nature relationship—a new-age eco-literacy amidst social and ecological changes.
We underscore the need to study and preserve people-birds-places connections to prevent rapidly reducing diversity of human expressions toward nature.
