JODHPUR, Jan. 4 -- A recent study has revealed that the Black-headed Ibis, a water bird, is increasingly nesting in human-inhabited areas due to a lack of suitable trees around wetlands. The study, conducted near Satkhanda Choraha on the Nimbahera-Chittorgarh highway in Rajasthan, found a shift in the nesting behaviour of the species from traditional wetland sites to areas closer to human settlements. The findings are based on field observations conducted between June and September 2025. According to Narayan Lal Choudhary, Assistant Professor in the Department of Zoology at Adarsh College, Jodhpur, "Nesting was observed on two babul (Vachellia nilotica) trees, with 50 nests of Black-headed Ibis. One tree contained 29 nests, while the other contained 21 nests. These nesting colonies, located in human-dominated landscapes, exhibit considerable resilience by restricting nesting to thorny Vachellia nilotica trees, despite the limited availability of suitable trees near aquatic environments." "This adaptation underscores the Ibis's capacity to coexist with human populations and emphasises the necessity of protecting and conserving potential nesting trees in and around wetland habitats," Choudhary added. "During the study, it was observed that Black-headed Ibis nesting occurred within human habitation, with Vachellia nilotica being the most preferred nesting tree. Most nests were located in the upper canopy of these trees. It appears that the species selects nesting sites after a careful evaluation of safety conditions and proximity to foraging areas. Given that nesting colonies in uninhabited areas are frequently subjected to attacks by natural predators, and that late nesters are more susceptible to predatory loss of nestlings, water birds often establish breeding colonies near human settlements. Thorny nesting trees limit access to ground predators such as snakes and offer protection against storms and heavy rainfall." The researchers said the Black-headed Ibis has demonstrated notable adaptability in its nesting behaviour near the Murliya Dam area. Despite the scarcity of trees near the Murliya Dam, the birds have successfully established nesting colonies on thorny trees within human habitation areas. "It was found that numerous trees, including Vachellia nilotica and Ficus species, were cut down from the edges of several water bodies in southern Rajasthan. Regular cutting of trees surrounding wetlands negatively affects the nesting habitats of water-dependent bird species, including the Black-headed Ibis. Such exploitation not only reduces potential nesting sites for birds but also disrupts and alters the diversity and abundance patterns of water birds," the study said. The researchers strongly recommended protecting existing trees around wetlands and launching tree-planting campaigns near water bodies....