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India (2000 to 2017)

The books are listed by date with the most recent at the top.

This list of books about birds in India is split over three pages:

- books published 2000-2017
- books published 1900-1999
- books published 1790-1899

Also see:

Handbook of the Birds of India and Pakistan: First edition

Handbook of the Birds of India and Pakistan: Second edition

Andaman Islands

Indian Ocean

Indian Ocean

Asia

Asia

A Photographic Field Guide to Birds of India, Pakistan, Nepal, Bhutan, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh

Bikram Grewal, Sumit Sen, Sarwandeep Singh, Nikhil Devasar, Garima Bhatia

Princeton University Press

2017

Originally published by Om Book in 2016 as A Pictorial Field Guide to Birds of India, Pakistan, Nepal, Bhutan, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh.

"This is the only comprehensive photographic field guide to the birds of the entire Indian subcontinent. Every distinct species and subspecies - some 1,375 in all - is covered with photographs, text, and maps. The guide features more than 4,000 stunning photographs, many never before published, which have been carefully selected to illustrate key identification features of each species. The up-to-date facing-page text includes concise descriptions of plumage, voice, range, habitat, and recent taxonomic changes. Each species has a detailed map reflecting the latest distribution information and containing notes on status and population density. The guide also features an introduction that provides an overview of birdlife and a brief history of ornithology in India and its neighbors. The result is an encyclopedic photographic guide that is essential for everyone birding anywhere in the subcontinent."

A Photographic Guide to Birds of the Himalayas

Bikram Grewal and Otto Pfister

Bloomsbury Publishing

2017

This is a reissue of the 2013 New Holland publication with the same title.

" The Himalayas, the world's highest mountain range, are a birdwatcher's paradise. Many of its species are high altitude specialists, including Tibetan and Himalayan Snowcocks, Snow Partridge, Ibisbill, Tibetan Sandgrouse, Hume's Groundpecker, Tibetan Snowfinch and Great Rosefinch. The area comprises a mosaic of different habitats which host a huge range of avian species, with families such as raptors, gamebirds, flycatchers and warblers particularly well represented. 252 of the Himalayas' most interesting and spectacular birds are featured in this concise and easy-to-use guide, and each species is illustrated with a colour photograph which is accompanied by text giving key information on identification, habitat and distribution."

Bird Migration Across the Himalayas: Wetland Functioning Amidst Mountains and Glaciers

Editor: Herbert HT Prins, Tsewang Namgail

2017

"Birds migrating across the Himalayan region fly over the highest peaks in the world, facing immense physiological and climatic challenges. The authors show the different strategies used by birds to cope with these challenges. Many wetland avian species are seen in the high-altitude lakes of the Himalayas and the adjoining Tibetan Plateau, such as Bar-Headed Geese. Ringing programmes have generated information about origins and destinations, and Bird Migration Across the Himalayas is the first to present information on the bird's exact migratory paths. Capitalising on knowledge generated through satellite telemetry, the authors describe the migratory routes of a multitude of birds flying over or skirting the Himalayas. The myriad of threats to migratory birds and the wetland system in the Central Asian Flyway are discussed, with ways to mitigate them. Bird Migration Across the Himalayas will inform and persuade policy-makers and conservation practitioners to take appropriate measures for the long-term survival of this unique migration."

Field Guide to Birds in and around Indroda Nature Park

Gujarat Ecological Education and Research Foundation (GEER Foundation)

"Indroda Nature Park is spread over an area of about 400 ha in Gandhinagar – the capital city of Gujarat, India. The Park is divided into two parts on the banks of river Sabarmati. The western part is known as Indroda Nature Park and the eastern part of the river Sabarmati is known as Wilderness Park. It is looked after by the Gujarat Ecological Education and Research (GEER) Foundation. The first edition of this field guide was published with the title Handbook of Birds in and around Indroda Nature Park, but has been retitled Field Guide to Birds in and around Indroda Nature Park for the second edition, due to its greater suitability to use in the field during bird watching. This is an enlarged edition as the authors have added 19 species to the total 182 species in the first edition. Thus, this revised edition has pictures and identifcation text for a total of 201 species."

Winged Fire: A Celebration of Indian Birds

Valmik Thapar

2016

"India has more than 1,200 species of birds. The richness and diversity of the country’s birdlife has been celebrated by thousands of ornithologists, birders and amateur naturalists for hundreds of years. Winged Fire brings together the best accounts, pictures and art on our birds. Contributors include luminaries like Babur, Abu’l-Fazl, Jahangir, François Pyrard, Edward Hamilton Aitken, Douglas Dewar, Jim Corbett, Colonel Kesri Singh, F. W. Champion, Salim Ali, E. P. Gee, A. Mervyn Smith, Hugh Allen, Kenneth Anderson, M. Krishnan, Khushwant Singh, R. S. Dharmakumarsinhji, E. R. C. Davidar, Zafar Futehally, Ruskin Bond, A. J. T. Singh, Peter Smetacek, Irwin Allan Sealy, Rishad Naoroji, and Bulbul Sharma. An essay by Ramki Sreenivasan provides a detailed account of the major species and their distribution, behaviour and habitats. Winged Fire is the last book in the trilogy - that also includes Wild Fire and Tiger Fire - put together by Valmik Thapar; taken together, these books give the reader an extraordinary view of India’s wildlife.

A Pictorial Field Guide to Birds of India, Pakistan, Nepal, Bhutan, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh

Bikram Grewal, Sumit Sen, Sarwandeep Singh, Nikhil Devasar, Garima Bhatia

Om Books

2016

Subsequently published by Princeton University Press in 2017 as A Photographic Field Guide to Birds of India, Pakistan, Nepal, Bhutan, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh.

"This book covers over 1,300 species and distinct sub-species of birds found in the Indian subcontinent. It contains over 4,000 colour photographs including depictions of flight, plumage, hunting style and much more. Many of the photographs in this comprehensive field guide appear for the first time, and have been carefully selected to showcase the most important features of each species. The text provides vital and new information on voice and habits of each species. The distribution maps are accompanied by notes on status and density. A Pictorial Field Guide to Birds of India, Pakistan, Nepal, Bhutan, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh will enable accurate field identification in one of the world's most diverse avifaunal regions.

Song Birds of Southern India: Towards a new Paradigm of Song, Species and Genetics of Evolution

Namratha Mogaral

2016

"This book presents a fascinating study of songs of birds based on intensive field observations carried in the forests of the Bhadra Wildlife Sanctuary at Lakkavalli in Karnataka of the Southern Indian sub-continent. Drawing on these insights, it proposes a new paradigm for understanding song and other displays as socio-biological mechanism. Its arguments are presented with thorough research on contemporary views of signaling behavior in Ornithology. The pugnacious critique of Darwin's theories of evolution and sexual selection suggests a new direction in Paleobiology and Evolutionary Science, Genetics and speciation processes."

Birds Of Goa

Bikram Grewal, Savio Fonseca

2016

A photographic guide that covers over 400 species with concide descriptions and colour photographs.

A Birder's Handbook to Manipal

Ramit Singal

Manipal University Press

2016

"The second edition of A Birder's Handbook to Manipal covers the 254 species of birds that have been recorded in Manipal with reliable documentation. These species have been given both full accounts as well as short accounts based on the current status of the birds. The text and photographs have been updated and changed where needed, which hopefully goes a long way towards improving the reader's experience and will prove to be relevant much longer into the future."

Collins Field Guide: Birds of India: Pakistan, Nepal, Bhutan, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka

Norman Arlott

2015

"This comprehensive new field guide is an excellent addition to the world-renowned series – the ultimate reference book for travelling birdwatchers. Every species of bird you might encounter in Pakistan, India, Nepal, Bhutan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, the Andaman Islands, the Nicobar Islands and the Maldives is featured, apart from non-established introductions. Beautiful artwork depicts their breeding plumage, and non-breeding plumage when it differs significantly. The accompanying text concentrates on the specific characteristics and appearance of each species that allow identification in the field, including voice, and distribution maps."

An Amateur's Guide to Birds of Assam

Jayaditya Purkayastha

2015

"An Amateur's Guide to Birds of Assam contains photos along with distribution maps and short descriptions for 200 species of birds. To make it handy for field use, symbols are used. The book also contains information on basic biology of birds. A checklist of birds occurring in Assam is also included."

A Pocket Guide to Birds in India

Akhilesh K Sahay

2015

120 page book with colour photographs that covers the most commonly seen birds in the central and northern regions of India.

Threatened Birds of Jammu & Kashmir

Asad R Rahmani, Intesar Suhail, Pankaj Chandan, Khursheed Ahmad, Ashfaq Ahmed Zarri

Oxford University Press

2015

"Threatened Birds of Jammu & Kashmir brings you information about the globally threatened bird species that are presently reported from Jammu & Kashmir. The book depends heavily on Threatened Birds of India (TBI) published in 2012 by BNHS, particularly for historical information, but we have updated the contents by including new and unpublished data. The new information given in Threatened Birds of Jammu & Kashmir will help us to assess the present status and distribution of the threatened bird species found in Jammu & Kashmir, and the recommendations for each species will show the way ahead."

Threatened Birds of Odisha

Asad R Rahmani, Manoj V Nair

Oxford University Press

2015

"Here, the authors describe eight Critically Endangered, five Endangered, eleven Vulnerable and 22 Near Threatened bird species found within the state of Odisha. Updated information on the status and distribution of all the threatened species is given along with potential threats, protection measures underway and recommendations for enhancing conservation of these species. This information-rich book will be of great use to decision makers, protected area managers, birdwatchers and conservation-minded citizens in general. Numerous high-quality images of the species in their natural habitats add value to his publication."

Threatened Birds of Uttar Pradesh

Asad R Rahmani, Sanjay Kumar, Neeraj Srivastav, Rajat Bhargava, Noor Inayat Khan

Oxford University Press

2015

"The book describes the threatened and near threatened avian species of the state of Uttar Pradesh, with notes on their distribution, ecology, historical records and current distribution. Based on this updated information, appropriate recommendations have been made regarding the conservation action that needs to be taken for each species. The Introduction has been supplemented with short notes on extinct birds of Uttar Pradesh as well as threatened birds likely to be found in the state. Detailed descriptions are given for the species for which Uttar Pradesh holds critical habitats. Shorter descriptions are given for species marginal to the state. The book is intended to be a handy reference for interested readers, as well as decision makers at the state level, where conservation actions are implemented."

Birds in Bihar

2015

"This book is but the first step towards this direction. Though the state is home to well over 250 bird species the current edition holds photographs of only 121 birds from 53 families. The photographs have been arranged according to the families. All these photographs have been taken by photographers from Bihar and do not cover the entire spectrum of available birds in Bihar. It is hoped that this effort will encourage more people to become aware of the rich variety of birds available and the need to protect them."

Malabar Ornithological Survey, 2010-2011

C. Sashikumar, C.K. Vishnudas, S. Raju, P.A. Vinayan, V.A. Shebin

2015

"In 2009, 75 years after Sálim Ali's pioneering study, the Kerela Forests and Wildlife Department took up the task of updating the information on the birds of Kerala. A team of dedicated ornithologists was deputed to undertake a bird survey along the very same trail that Sálim Ali had followed for his survey. The findings of the new survey were compiled as a report; this was published as a book by the Forest Department in 2011, titled Along the Trail of Sálim Ali: Travancore-Cochin Ornithological Survey 2009. As this survey covered only the southern part of Kerala, south of the Palakkad Gap, another survey, named the Malabar Ornithological Survey was organized by the Forest Department to survey the birds of north Kerala, north of the Palakkad Gap. The same team was entrusted to conduct this survey. The survey began on 1 November 2010 and ended on 31 October 2011. Now, through this report, we are presenting the findings of this survey. These two reports together provide a complete omithological profile of Keraia. The data presented here will serve as the benchmark of ornithological information for future studies and conservation. The recommendations of the survey team will be considered with due importance while deciding on the conservation priorities of the Forest Departmen."

Popular Birds of Mizoram

H Lalthanzara, Raju Kasambe

2015

"Popular Birds of Mizoram covers 208 bird species belonging to 53 families which are popular among the Mizo people in Northeast India, either in the past or in the present."

Birds Recorded During a Study in Himachal Pradesh

Diljeet Singh

2015

"Birds Recorded During a Study in Himachal Pradesh is based on the field work carried out by the author on the occurrence and distribution of birds in Himachal Pradesh during June 2007 to May 2012. It illustrates 308 species belonging to 14 orders and 49 families giving information about distribution of birds recorded at various sites with dates, altitudes and checklists. The status and relative abundance of birds (in different climatic zones) have been analyzed and birds are shown with coloured photographs taken in their natural habitats."

Birds of Our Neighbourhood

Kiran Purandare

2015

"This book introduces the reader to 40 species of birds that can be easily seen in India's neighbourhoods. It is full of interesting observations made by a sensitive author. The text is well-complemented by excellent photographs. The reader will learn about bird habitats, habits, nesting behaviour, as also the role of birds in the ecosystem. Along the way the author highlights the importance of bird conservation."

India Birds: A Folding Pocket Guide to Familiar Species

James Kavanagh and Raymond Leung

2015

"This beautifully illustrated guide highlights over 140 familiar and unique species and includes a map featuring prominent bird-viewing areas. A back panel map is also included, showing the country's top birding hotspots. Researched by the leading conservation group -- Wildlife SOS, India, this guide is a one-of-a-kind reference guide for travelers to this beautiful country. Laminated for durability and weighing less than one ounce, this guide is a portable, packable source of information on the country's bird life."

Pankheru: Colours on Wings

A Field Guide to the Birds to Dadra & Nagar Haveli

M.R.G. Reddy

2015

"This field guide to the birds of Dadra and Nagar Haveli is the first such publication of the Wildlife Division, Forest Department of Dadra and Nagar Haveli. The volume is primarily designed as a companion for birdwatchers and adventure tourists."

Important Bird Areas of Maharashtra: Priority Sites for Conservation

Asad R. Rahmani, M. Zafar-ul Islam, Raju Kasambe and Jayant Wadatkar

Oxford University Press

2014

"This volume is part of a series of books on important bird areas (IBAs) of specific states, which is an extension of Important Bird Areas in India: Priority Sites for Conservation (2004) that described 466 IBAs for India. Important Bird Areas of Maharashtra provides comprehensive information about the IBAs in the state of Maharashtra. As a part of the IBAs series, this book has up-to-date scientific information on twenty important sites which need conservation attention. Also contains information on seven additional sites that have been identified by using the global IBA criteria set by BirdLife International."

The Birds of Rajasthan

Rakesh Vyas, Asad R Rahmani

2014

"The author of The Birds Of Rajasthan has enlisted the support of some of the best amateur bird photographers and field ornithologists from Rajasthan, and the rest of the country. The final product is a premium quality book that not only covers the common birds found in the state but also includes rare stragglers which have been reported in the last 50 years. The book will be helpful to ornithologists, amateur birdwatchers, bird photographers, students, and tourists equally."

Threatened Birds of Maharashtra

Asad R. Rahmani, Raju Kasambe, Sujit Narwade, Pramod Patil and Noor I. Khan

Oxford University Press

2014

"Threatened Birds of Maharashtra is the third in the 'Threatened Birds' series published by the BNHS and OUP. This book brings information about the globally threatened bird species that are presently reported from Maharashtra state. The book will help to assess the present status and distribution of the threatened bird species found in Maharashtra, and the recommendations for each species show the way ahead."

Threatened Birds of Uttarakhand

Asad R. Rahmani and Dhananjai Mohan

Oxford University Press

2014

"Identification, protection, and monitoring of Important Bird Areas (IBAs) is a major global conservation programme initiated by BirdLife International, and recognized and appreciated by many governments, NGOs, and conservationists. Threatened Birds of Uttarakhand is an extension of the BNHS's IBA programme to identify the threatened and near threatened bird species in Uttarakhand and to recommend measures for their long-term protection."

Birds of Nashik District: A Conservation Guide

Bishwarup Raha

2014

"Birds at Nashik District: A Conservation Guide contains photographs of 251 species of birds exclusively and mostly photographed within the district and serves as an authentic record of their presence ...... This is not just an ordinary book with information on birds but also depicts the struggle our avian fauna is facing to survive in today’s world of development. A separate section of Conservation Notes has been included, showing events and activities carried out jointly to help preserve birds and our environment."

Birds of Nitte University Campus

Arunachalam Kumar, Shivashankar M

2014

"A photographic handbook on identification of birds at Nitte university campus area near Mangalore. The book contains a list of 86 species of birds spotted along with superb photographs of all. The bird list was made over an eight year period of residence at the Nitte University campus at Deralakatte, twelve kilometers south of Mangalore, a coastal city in Karnataka. The book could be a useful handy guide to novice birdwatchers as most of the birds check-listed and photographed are found in most parts of semi-urban India."

Birds of Hampi

Samad Kottur

2014

A pocket guide that covers 230 species found in the area of the Hampi World Heritage Site in the state of Karnataka in Northern India. Each species is illustrated and the descriptions include habitat, breeding, and identification information and suggestions for the best locations to see the species

A Pocketguide to the Birds of Nagaland

Anwaruddin Choudhury

Gibbon Books

2014

160 page pocket guide covering selected species and including 60 colour photographs. Also includes a checklist and bibliography.

Wings of Dwarka: A Field Guide

Ranjana Pal, Srishti Solanki, Aman Malik

2014

"The "Wings of Dwarka" offers a concise description of the birds which frequent GGSIP University campus and its surroundings. The book is enriching with beautiful photographs and entertaining knowledge. This book aims to encourage people in the campus to open their eyes and ears to experience the living, breathing, beautiful world around them."

Winged Wonders of Rashtrapati Bhavan

Thomas Mathew

2014

A photographic guide to the 111 species that have been recorded on the Rashtrapati Bhavan Estate, the official home of the President of India, in New Delhi.

A Naturalist's Guide to the Birds of India: Including Pakistan, Nepal and Bhutan

Bikram Grewal

2013

"This easy-to-use identification guide to the 280 bird species most commonly seen in India is perfect for resident and visitor alike. High quality photographs from one of India's top nature photographers are accompanied by detailed species descriptions which include nomenclature, size, distribution, habits and habitat. The user-friendly introduction covers geography and climate, vegetation, opportunities for naturalists and the main sites for viewing the listed species. Also included is an all-important checklist of all of the birds of India encompassing, for each species, its common and scientific name, and its global IUCN status as at 2013."

Birds Of Goa

Heinz Lainer

2013

"Heinz Lainer - with 35 years of bird watching experience - and Rahul Alvares - snakeman and wildlife photographer - get together to produce this splendid new book on the Birds of Goa for the season of 2013. The beautiful volume is published by the Forest Department, Government of Goa in association with the Goa Foundation. Birds of Goa is a great combination of science and art. You will find authoritative information on the habitat, population, distribution, migration, breeding status and any other locally relevant data of all the 440+ bird species. It has hundreds of pictures of birds, exquisite, extraordinary, always in action."

Birds of Maharashtra

Satish Pande, Pramod Deshpande, Niranjant Sant

Ela Foundation

2013

"The first bilingual guide to birds of Maharashtra. Key Features: all 568 bird species illustrated; symbols for habit, habitat, nest, and food for quick reference; key ID features in Marathi and English; all threatened and endemic birds; tips on Bird Watching; protected areas, Important Bird Areas, State Birds; bird songs and sonograms; and birds in our culture."

A Photographic Guide to Some Common Birds of Aravallis

Shriyans Bhandari

2013

"This book contains more than 200 colour photographs of 80 species of birds commonly found in the Aravalli region (Rajasthan, Haryana, and Gujarat). One main picture and a few additional pictures of each bird species, taken from different angles, depict the characteristics, flight patterns, feeding, other behaviour, and habitats. The text has been made concise, to provide vital information on description, behaviour, calls, and feeding habits, to ensure accurate identification. The caption of each photograph describes the activity of the bird in that picture, and would be helpful for a birdwatcher who is a beginner, for tourists and wildlife enthusiasts coming to the Aravalli region, and also for the interested general reader."

Plumage Across the Pir Panjal: The Poonch and Rajouri Districts (A Photographic Guide)

Rajendra Singh

A photographic guide with over 700 colour photographs covering over 250 species found in the region.

Faunal Diversity of Khijadiya Lake and Bird Sanctuary, Gujarat: An Avian Community Perspective

Sanjeev Kumar

2013

The results of a survey of the avifauna of the Khijadiya Lake and Bird Sanctuary on the southern coast of Gulf of Kachchh in the Saurasthra region of Gujarat.

Important Bird Areas of Jammu & Kashmir

Asad R. Rahmani, M. Zafar-ul Islam, Khursheed Ahmad, Intesar Suhail, Pankaj Chandan, and Ashfaq Ahmed Zarri

2013

"This volume is part of a series of books on important bird areas (IBAs) of specific states, which is an extension of Important Bird Areas in India: Priority Sites for Conservation (2004) that described 466 IBAs for India. The third book in the series, this volume focuses on the IBAs of Jammu & Kashmir. Co-authored by six field scientists and wildlife officers, Important Bird Areas of Jammu & Kashmir is a collaborative effort of BNHS, WWF-India, RSPB, and BirdLife International. Profusely illustrated with more than 70 images showing habitats and birds and with a polygon map for each IBA, this book will help advocate for the protection of all wildlife and wild areas, as IBAs are also Key Biodiversity Areas."

Threatened Birds of Assam

Asad R. Rahmani and Anwaruddin Choudhury

Oxford University Press

2013

"This book identifies the most threatened and near threatened bird species in Assam and recommends measures for their long-term protection. It discusses seven critically endangered, eight endangered, thirty-three vulnerable, and twenty-eight near threatened birds in Assam. Covering Critically Endangered (like white-bellied heron, white-backed vulture, etc.), Marginal Species (pink-headed duck and spoon-billed sandpiper), Endangered Main Species (white-winged wood duck, baer's pochard, etc.), Vulnerable Main Species (swamp francolin, sarus crane, yellow weaver, etc.), Vulnerable Marginal Species (marbled duck, wood snip, etc.), and Near Threatened (Japanese quail, black-necked strok, Asian dowitcher, etc.) species, this volume will help in expanding the scope of conservation in Assam and in India."

A Birder's Handbook to Manipal

Ramit Singal

2013

"Covers the 204 species of birds so far known to be found in Manipal, a university town and hill station in the Indian state of Karnataka, India. It is the cumulative result of 3.5 years of regular monitoring of several habitats and species of the region and provides precise data regarding the distribution and status of each of the species with splendidly coloured photographs. lt also includes a CD with 81 call recordings of 69 species along with their snapshots."

Mammal and Avi-Fauna of Kuldiha Wildlife Sanctuary, Orissa

Atindra Murmu, P.C. Mazumdar, S. Chaudhuri

2013

A 50 page guide to the mammals and birds of the Kuldiha Wildlife Sanctuary in north east India.

A Photographic Guide to Birds of the Himalayas

Bikram Grewal and Otto Pfister

3rd edition

2013

"This is the new edition of a popular guide and it is fully updated with all the latest names and recently recognised species. The Himalayas, the world's highest mountain range, are a birdwatcher's paradise. Many of its species are high altitude specialists, including Tibetan and Himalayan Snowcocks, Snow Partridge, Ibisbill, Tibetan Sandgrouse, Hume's Groundpecker, Tibetan Snowfinch and Great Rosefinch. The area comprises a mosaic of different habitats which host a huge range of avian species, with families such as raptors, gamebirds, flycatchers and warblers particularly well represented. 252 of the Himalayas' most interesting and spectacular birds are featured in this concise and easy-to-use guide, and each species is illustrated with a colour photograph which is accompanied by text giving key information on identification, habitat and distribution."

Biology of Indian Barbets

Hafiz Yahya

2013

"Having pan-tropical distribution, the barbets are prominent group of birds belonging to family Capitonidea. Paucity of any detail information on ecology and biology of Asiatic barbets prompted the author to undertake an intensive study on life history of Indian barbets. It seemed also desirable to get an explanation how congeneric sympatric barbets coexisted successfully. Feeding impact of barbets on Coffee Plantations has also been discussed. Besides controlling termites and other harmful insects including coffee stem borer and teak defoliator, the barbets help in seed dispersal and cross-pollination of plants. Although still common at many places in the country, due to shrinkage of forests and avenue gardens, and poaching in certain areas, the population of barbets is declining. Therefore, barbets deserve due consideration in biodiversity conservation planning of the country for their sustainability."

Birds of India: Pakistan, Nepal, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Sri Lanka, and the Maldives

Richard Grimmett, Carol Inskipp and Tim Inskipp

Princeton University Press

2012

"The best field guide to the birds of the Indian subcontinent is now even better. Thoroughly revised, with 73 new plates and many others updated or repainted, the second edition of Birds of India now features all maps and text opposite the plates for quicker and easier reference. Newly identified species have been added, the text has been extensively revised, and all the maps are new. Comprehensive and definitive, this is the indispensable guide for anyone birding in this part of the world. 1,375 species are illustrated and described, including all residents, migrants, and vagrants. With 226 color plates that depict every species and many distinct plumages and races."

Threatened Birds of India: Their Conservation Requirements

Asad R. Rahmani

2012

"This book is an extension of the BNHS's IBA programme to identify the most threatened and near threatened bird species in India and to recommend measures for their long-term protection. It discusses trade in threatened birds in India, status of pesticide contamination in birds in India, dams and threatened birds in the Brahmaputra floodplains, India's tiger reserves and threatened bird species, threats and opportunities of Avian conservation in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, management and conservation perspectives for Avian species in the Terai region, and taxonomy, distribution, and conservation status of strophocincla laughingthrushes of Western Ghats. Covering Critically Endangered (like Himalayan quail or mountain quail, pink-headed duck, white-bellied heron, etc.), Endangered (green peafowl, red-breasted goose, white-headed duck, etc.), Vulnerable (Nicobar megapode, marbled duck, Kashmir flycatcher, etc.), and Near Threatened (Japanese quail, Nicobar pigeon, Andaman hawk-owl, etc.) species, this volume will help in expanding the scope of conservation in India beyond tiger conservation to make it more inclusive."

Wetland Birds of Tamil Nadu: A Pictorial Field Guide

Robert B Grubh and Shailaja R Grubh

2012

Bilingual: English & Tamil

"Wetland Birds of Tamil Nadu is an authentic pictorial field guide, written by a leading ornithologist to assist birdwatchers in identifying 149 species of wetland birds, including rare ones, seen in Tamil Nadu and neighbouring states. Wetland Birds of Tamil Nadu includes 215 outstanding colour photographs as well as lucid description of clearly recognizable field characters that help to identify even those species showing only subtle differences."

Wetlands And Wetland Birds: Status of Wetland Birds of Selected Districts in Tamil Nadu

Bubesh Guptha

2012

"Birds as best indicators of wetland function or as measures of success in wetland management, restoration, and creation. The study was conducted from January to March 2006, totally 27 selected wetlands were surveyed in four selected districts of Tamil Nadu, namely Coimbatore, Trichy, Perambalore and Thiruvarur. Species diversity and dominance of birds were calculated. Three near threatened species, namely Threatened spot-billed pelican (Pelicanus philippensis) and Darter (Anhinga rufa) and Painted Stork (Mycteria leucocephala) were recorded. In most of the wetlands Ipomea carnea (15.28 %) was the dominant species. Wetlands in Coimbatore, namely Singanallur, Sulur, Vettikaranputhur and Thirumeni in Tiruvarur district had good population of birds and these sites will be protected for the birds."

A Photographic Guide to Birds of Goa

Rina Jain and Naitik Jain

2012

"In A Photographic Guide to Birds of Goa 85 species of more common and photogenic birds of Goa are illustratively described."

Of Birds and Birdsong

M. Krishnan

Editor: Shanthi and Aashish Chandola

Foreword: Zafar Futehally

2012

"India is home to over a thousand species of birds ranging from glittering sunbirds, peacocks and pheasants through to unassuming inhabitants of town and countryside like crows, sparrows and pigeons to those that are rare and threatened like the Indian Bustard. In this book, many of them are brought to vivid life by one of the countrys greatest naturalists and nature writers. M. Krishnans prose is studded with evocative descriptions of nature, literary allusions, stylistic flourishes, humour, and most rewardingly, precise observations and original insights into over a hundred species of birds in a variety of habitats. This is a work that will delight bird lovers of every stripe. As Zafar Futehally, one of the countrys best known ornithologists, says in his fore, Every piece in this collection has something even for the seasoned naturalist, and even his description of common events holds your interest because of the writing."

Ecological Study on Avifauna of Bhitarkanika

Bhalu Mondhe, Abhilash Khandekar, Kaustubh Rishi

2012

"Bhitarkanika is one of the largest mangrove ecosystems in India and abode of estuarine crocodiles, water monitor lizards, innumerable aquatic fauna and unique littoral forest with diverse dynamic and complex ecosystem. This ecosystem has contributed to mass congregation of Olive ridley sea turtles off the coast of Gahirmatha. The water body in and around Bhitarkanika has been declared as a Ramsar site in 2002. The intricate tidal creek system, the huge agricultural fields and the abundance of food materials has attracted avian guests both resident and migrants each year. The Bhitarkanika wetlands is not only an important wintering ground for a large number of migratory waterfowls but also plays an important role as a staging ground for many of these birds on their onward journey southwards as well as during return journey to their breeding ground. The book is an effort in a modest way to present for the first time a comprehensive study on the ecology of both waterfowls as well as the waders thronging to Bhitarkanika wetlands for the benefit of park managers, wildlifers, environmentalists, researchers and ornithologists. An attempt has been made to enlighten the realities of mangrove ecosystems forming part of avian habitats, which is otherwise difficult and inaccessible. The book includes information on the number of bird species (both migratory and resident) of the habitat, seasonal variation of species and their arrival-departure pattern. .... The book can be considered as a base for undertaking further study on this subject to know 'how the birds behave and occupy the ecological space in Bhitarkanika'."

The Common Birds of Simla

A.E. Jones

Edited and Retold by Somesh Goyal

2012

Originally published in 1920 this publication has been revised and illustration have been added.

Birds of Sirpur, Indore

Bhalu Mondhe, Abhilash Khandekar, Kaustubh Rishi

2012

A photographic guide that covers about 130 species found at Sirpur Lake in Indore.

Birding in the Doon Valley

Suniti Bhushan Datta and Nikhil Devasar

2012

"Birding in the Doon Valley is a world-class guidebook for northern India, covering Dehradun, Mussoorie, Asan, Rajaji NP, Deolsari, Dhanaulti & nearby areas. With 15 original colour-coded birding maps, a species guide to 200 regional bird species, 320+ colour photos of over 270 bird species plus landscapes, and a fully annotated regional bird list covering 504 species, Birding in the Doon Valley functions as a site guide, bird ID guide, driving guide and walking guide all in one."

Birds of South Asia. The Ripley Guide

Volume 1: Field Guide

Volume 2: Attributes and Status

Pamela C. Rasmussen and John C. Anderton

Second edition

2012

"Birds of South Asia. The Ripley Guide is a comprehensive, two-volume, up-to-date work covering the over 2500 known and likely taxa of birds of the spectacularly diverse Indian subcontinent including, for the first time, Afghanistan and the Chagos Archipelago. Volume 1 is a Field Guide, bound separately for portability, while Volume 2 (Attributes and Status) contains much more detailed information. The second edition is revised and updated with the newest findings on vocalizations and taxonomy, including several taxa newly recorded for the region, species whose voice was previously unknown, and additional newly recognised species."

Birds of Southern Coastal Karnataka

Dr K. Prabhakar Achar Shivashankar

2012

"Birds of Southern Coastal Karnataka is the successor to the popular Field Guide to the Birds of Dakshina Kannada.'In this new edition, the illustrations of birds have been replaced by colour photographs. There are 56 colour photographic plates depicting 224 species of birds. For easy reference, their synopses are given in opposite plates."

Birds of Kumaon

Sumit Das

2012

"This pictorial book is about the birds of Western Himalayas and the environment in which they thrive."

Birds of India: A Literary Anthology

Abdul Jamil Urfi

2011

"Birds of India: A Literary Anthology takes a new look at natural history writings in India, and brings together for the first time extracts from ancient, medieval, as well as later-day works. Highlighting the role of birds in human life-from religion to entertainment, mythology to science, superstition to wisdom-the collection brings to light the richness and diversity of the literature available on the subject."

Birds of the Indian Subcontinent

Richard Grimmett, Carol Inskipp and Tim Inskipp

Christopher Helm

2nd edition

2011

"This new field guide is based on the authors' groundbreaking Birds of the Indian Subcontinent (1998) and covers all the bird species found in India, Pakistian, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Bhutan, Bangladesh and the Maldives. The plates face the descriptions and maps for quick at-a-glance reference. Many of the plates have been repainted for this edition and a number of new species added. This guide also provides tables, summarising identification features of particularly difficult groups such as nightjars, warblers and rosefinches."

Birds of the Indian Subcontinent: A Field Guide

Ranjit Manakadan, J.C. Daniel, and Nikhil Bhopale

Oxford University Press

2011

"This book is a revised edition of a pictorial guide to the birds of the Indian subcontinent first published in 1983. The book deals with the birds of the Indian Subcontinent—India, Pakistan, Nepal, Bhutan, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka, including the islands of Andaman and Nicobars, Lakshadweep, and Maldives and not includes Afghanistan and the Chagos Archipelago. The main part of the book is taken up by bird topography and complemented by 112 plates containing illustrations of 1251 species to describe how their family/species perceived in the society. Additional notes of over 100 definite species are also provided to add special flavour to the reader. The Guide contains species descriptions to aid field identification, as there are quite a few bird species where a pictorial representation is not sufficient, especially to identify similar looking birds. The brief descriptions of the species have been added to enable quick identification, except for species where more detailing is required."

Birds of Kerala: Status and Distribution

C. Sashikumar, J. Praveen, Muhamed Jafer Palot, P.O. Nameer

2011

"This is the most complete book on the birds of the Indian state Kerala to date, describing all 453 species of birds found in the state, and an additional 49 birds that could occur as strays. Stunning photographs of 400 birds make this book an attractive field guide while the depth of research makes it an excellent handbook. A must-have for the visitor to South India."

Along the Trail of Sálim Ali~: A Study of Avifauna, Their Habitats and Ecological History: Travancore-Cochin Ornithological Survey 2009

C. Sashikumar, C.K. Vishnudas, S. Raju, S. Kannan, P.A. Vinayan

2011

"In 2009, 75 years after Sálim Ali's pioneering study, the Kerela Forests and Wildlife Department took up the task of updating the information on the birds of Kerala. A team of dedicated ornithologists was deputed to undertake a bird survey along the very same trail that Sálim Ali had followed for his survey. The findings of the new survey were compiled as a report; this was published as a book by the Forest Department in 2011, titled Along the Trail of Sálim Ali: Travancore-Cochin Ornithological Survey 2009."

Avifauna of the Eastern Himalayas and Southeastern Sub-Himalayan Mountains: Center of Endemism or Many Species in Marginal Habitats?

Editors: Swen C. Renner and John H. Rappole

American Ornithologists' Union

2011

Contents:

• Bird Species-Richness Pattern in the Greater Himalayan Mountains - A General Introduction
• Ornithological Exploration in the Southeastern Sub-Himalayan Region of Myanmar
• Avifauna of the Gaoligong Shan Mountains of Western China: A Hotspot of Avian Species Diversity
• Phylogeny, Biodiversity, and Species Limits of Passerine Birds in the Sino-Himalayan Region - A Critical Review
• The Breeding Avifauna of the Sub-Himalayan Zone of Northern Kachin State, Myanmar
• Ornithology of Northern Myanmar
• Description of First Basical Plumage of Three Muscicapid Species Found in the Southeastern Sub-Himalayan Foothills, with Notes on their Taxonomy and Ecology
• Bird Diversity, Biogeographic Patterns, and Endemism of the Eastern Himalayas and Southeastern Sub-Himalayan Mountains

Birds of Prey of the Indian Subcontinent

Rishad Naoroji

2011

"Birds of Prey of the Indian Subcontinent is a complete guide to the raptors of the Indian subcontinent, including India, Nepal, Bhutan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Pakistan and the Maldives. The huge diversity of habitat types and altitudinal variation gives rise to a correspondingly large avifauna. The diurnal birds of prey are well represented – 70 species of hawk, buzzard, kite, harrier, eagle, vulture, falcon and falconet are found in the region. Each species is shown in all usual plumage forms, in flight and at rest. The species accounts cover all aspects of field identification, and also include sections on distribution, behaviour, status and population."

Community and Diversity of Waterfowls in Santragachhi Wetland, India

Sudip Banerjee, Krishnendu Mondal, Subhendu Mondal

2011

"Community and diversity of waterfowls in Santragachhi Wetland have been studied in four months during the winter period of 2008-2009, which is the season for migratory water birds. The diversity has been studied with respect to cumulative species richness and relative abundance, Shanon-Weiner diversity, bootstrap richness, Chao 1 richness, Coleman rarefaction richness. Attempts were also made to find a correlation with these parameters to the photoperiod of the day. Some of the potential threats of the wetland as well as the inhabitants have also been noted."

Birds and Species of Bay of Bengal: With Chota Nagpur And Andaman Nicobar Island

Allan O. Hume

2010

This is a reprint of writings probably first published in the 1800's

Birds in Books: Three Hundred Years of South Asian Ornithology: A Bibliography

Aasheesh Pittie

2010

"The history of South Asian ornithology spans three centuries and records over 1200 species of birds. This is the passionate work of hundreds of amateur and professional ornithologists. The popular as well as scientific documentation of this region's avifauna is prodigious. For the first time, this vast body of work is brought together here, in this detailed, meticulously researched, and annotated bibliography. Over 1700 books are listed, covering the ornithology of Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, the Maldives, Myanmar, Nepal, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, and Tibet—a region encompassing the Oriental and Palaearctic realms. The bibliography embraces various types of work: from travelogues, field guides, species monographs, country handbooks, regional avifaunas, multi-volume ornithological works, and folios of art, to simple checklists. In addition, it provides brief glimpses into the lives of over 200 ornithologists. For comprehensive accessibility, it includes three indexes enabling readers to reach specific items of information with ease."

Latin Names of Indian Birds - Explained

Satish Pande

Oxford University Press

2010

"This book explains the Latin names of all birds of the Indian Subcontinent. The Introductory section on science and philosophy of bird nomenclature describes several aspects like toponyms, eponyms, descriptive and other epithets, as well as the role of International Commission for Zoological Nomenclature (ICZN). Information about all taxon-authors of birds of the Indian Subcontinent is provided in a separate section. The book also provides information on the conservation and endemic status and distribution of all birds. With four separate indexes of common names, generic names, specific names of birds, and of taxon-authors, this volume includes 18 lithographs by John Gould, Elizabeth Gould, and Henry Richter, 15 specially commissioned portraits of Taxon-authors, 309 bird sketches, and 8 black and white photographs of prominent ornithological personalities."

Indian Birds in Focus: Birds of the Indian Subcontinent and Their Habitats

Amano Samarpan

2009

"This title shows you Indian birds as you may never have seen them before! In these pages, you can see the details of creatures that otherwise, one might be able to afford only a glimpse of. This book of photographic portraits presents both common and seldom seen birds of the Indian subcontinent in their habitats not just as a way to more clearly identify and hence understand them but also because it recognises the important role that environment plays in their survival."

Ducks, Geese and Swans of India: Their Status and Distribution

Asad R Rahmani and Zafar-ul M Islam

2009

"Ducks, Geese and Swans of India describes 42 species of ducks, geese, and swans found in India. Written by experts in the field, this book discusses the distribution, population size, migratory movement, habitat and ecology, and conservation status of these birds. The descriptions are illustrated with colour images of specimens and maps showing the distribution of these birds across the Indian subcontinent. The book comes equipped with a companion CD. It will interest ornithologists, birdwatchers, conservationists, as well as general readers interested in the flora and fauna of the Indian subcontinent."

Bird Atlas of Chilika

S. Balachandran

2009

"Chilika is the largest inland wetland in India. In fact, it is a common saying among ornithologists that when ‘one looks up at the flock of birds flying across Chilika one cannot see the sky'. The book lists and describes the waterbirds and landbirds of Chilika lake, totalling 224 species. Photographs and distribution maps of all the species are provided."

Common Birds of the Indian Subcontinent

Ananda Banerjee

2008

"This field guide, aimed at beginners and hobbyists alike, contains information on how to begin bird watching, including details of the equipment and strategic locations that offer the best views. The descriptions are accompanied by photographs of over two hundred of the most likely encountered bird species in the Indian subcontinent taken by some of the best photographers in the country. Colloquial references to, and Indian names of the birds are strewn throughout for a local flavour while providing key information on how to identify the birds."

Garden Birds of Delhi, Agra and Jaipur

Samar Singh

2008

"The golden triangle of India - Delhi, Agra and Jaipur - is as rich and diverse in its bird life as it is in its culture and tradition. The gardens and adjacent water bodies in these cities provide a huge range of vegetarian diversity for the birds to dwell and rest. This superb book constitutes an engaging guide containing descriptive notes and colourful photographs of the birds commonly seen in Northern India."

Birds & Butterflies of Delhi

Mehran Zaidi

2008 (2010)

"Watching birds and butterflies can be a very enjoyable hobby. Though, there is no age to bird watching, it is best to start early. A child like inquisitiveness will teach you the difference between an Ashy Prinia and the Jungle Prinia, difference between the call of the Rock Bush Quail and the Jungle Bush Quail, and the subtle Plumage difference between the Tawny Eagle and the Greater Spotted Eagle. Birds and butterflies are good indicators of the quality of our environment - the more of them seen in our everyday lives means that the environment is still good, the air breathable, trees and shrubs are surviving, there are still open spaces and the wetlands are still not too polluted. The world over one of the parameters of the quality of life is the diversity of birds found around a house, a village or town."

A Pocket Guide to the Birds of Mizoram

Anwaruddin Choudhury

The Rhino Foundation

2008

"Checklist of more than 500 species and status report on some notable species of the state, including the Chinese Babax, which is not found in any other state in India."

Birds of India and the Indian Subcontinent

Jan Willem den Besten

2008

"This book is meant for a wide audience with a general interest in birds. The text is easy to read and covers the main visual identification characteristics of the birds. It describes their calls, typical manners and distribution. Most of the birds are depicted in striking colour photographs. The first chapter introduces the reader to India's wealth of avian species and the variety of landscapes and nature reserves where they are seen."

A Photographic Guide to Birds of India and Nepal

Bikram Grewal

2nd edition

2008

"Ideal for a travelling birdwatcher, this useful guide provides a comprehensive overview of the wide variety of birdlife to be found in India and Nepal. Over 250 native species are included in the book, each description supported by a clear colour photograph taken where possible in the bird's natural habitat. As well as the commoner species likely to be encountered - colourful birds such as the Gold-fronted Leafbird, Red Munia and Monal Pheasant - the guide also focuses on some of the rarer, and in some cases highly endangered, species such as the Black-necked Crane."

About Indian Birds: Including Birds of Nepal, Sri Lanka, Bhutan, Pakistan and Bangladesh

Salim Ali and Laeeq Futehally

2008

"With beautiful, hand-drawn illustrations and lithographs, About Indian Birds is an ideal companion for not just amateur bird-watchers and wildlife enthusiasts but also seasoned ornithologists. The book is ideal for everyone who wishes to enjoy the rich and varied bird-life of India."

A Bird's Eye View : The Collected Essays and Shorter Writings of Salim Ali

Salim Ali

Editor: Tara Gandhi

2007

Published in two volumes.

"Salim Ali, without question India's greatest ornithologist, was a prolific writer. Apart from his many books (the best known being The Book of Indian Birds), he wrote a large number of scientific papers, essays and popular articles for a variety of journals and magazines. He also broadcast radio talks and gave public lectures as well as interviews. This body of Salim Ali's work has never before been gathered together into a book.This first-time collection of all these shorter writings, painstakingly ferreted out and put together by Salim Ali's former student Tara Gandhi (with the permission of the Bombay Natural History Society, Salim Ali's intellectual and spiritual home for many years), presents a fascinating array of topics as diverse as the Indian landscapes and birdlife that were his passion. Whether it is the colours of a bird's feathers or the ecology of the Himalaya mountains or an insightful conservation message, Salim Ali's evocative writing style makes reading this volume enormously pleasurable. Of its intellectual and academic importance to the world's ornithologists, to India's scientists and to all bird lovers, there can be no doubt."

Birds In Our Lives

Ashish Kothari

2007

"Birds in Our Lives provides glimpses of the incredible diversity of India s birds, the ecosystems where different kinds of birds are found, and the various ways cultural and economic in which birds have touched our lives. It gives a brief account of the history of ornithology in India. It stresses on the serious threats that bird habitats and populations face, and gives a sense of both the continued erosion of Indian birdlife, as well as the rapidly growing efforts to save it. Finally, it provides key pointers for what needs to be done if we want to save this precious natural heritage. An extremely readable and technically accurate account of bird conservation in India Written by one of India s most well-known and outspoken conservationists."

Birds of Dibru-Saikhowa National Park

Anwaruddin Choudhury

The Rhino Foundation

2007

A pocket guide to the birds of the Dibru-Saikhowa National Park in Assam. Includes a checklist with 439 species and descriptions of key birding sites.

India Through Its Birds

Zafar Futehally

2007

Birds of Prey of the Indian Subcontinent

Rishad Naoroji

2006

"A complete guide to the raptors of the Indian subcontinent. Lavishly illustrated with 24 colour plates and around 600 photos, each species is shown in all usual plumage forms, in flight and at rest. The species accounts cover all aspects of field identification, and also include sections on distribution, behaviour, status and population. The Indian subcontinent comprises the countries of India, Nepal, Bhutan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Pakistan and the Maldives. This region encompasses a great diversity of habitat types and a full range of altitudinal variation, and has a correspondingly large avifauna. The diurnal birds of prey are well represented - 70 species of hawk, buzzard, kite, harrier, eagle, vulture, falcon and falconet are found in the region. Anyone birding in the Indian subcontinent will find this book an invaluable aid to identifying and understanding the region's diverse raptor avifauna."

A Photographic Guide to the Birds of India: Including Nepal, Sri Lanka, Bhutan, Pakistan and Bangladesh

Amano Samarpan

2006

"Awarded Best Produced Paperback Book of 2006 by the Federation of Indian Publishers, this pocket-sized photographic book makes accurate identification of more common birds in the field possible. The photographs, all taken in the wild and India, clearly show the birds often with a variety of plumages while the text details the life of these colourful creatures. There is also a personal introduction to the experience of birding in India with reference to relevant books and websites. Ideal for any visitor to the Indian subcontinent."

Birds of Western Maharashtra: A Reference Guide

Anand Prasad

2006

Species status and distribution information for birds recorded in the area.

Avifauna of Kanha Tiger Reserve: Madhya Pradesh, India

Kailash Chandra, Anil Mahabal, Rajendra Prasad Gupta and D.K. Nema

2006

Atlas of the Birds of Delhi and Haryana

Bill Harvey, Nikhil Devasar and Bikram Grewal

2006

"The Atlas records the distribution of birds in the neighbouring states of Delhi and Haryana in northern India and illustrates the seasonal occurence of the mapped species - updating the records up to May 2006. It maps 266 commoner species, identifying resident breeding species, passage migrants, and winter and breeding summer visitors. The text concentrates on habitat, distribution and behaviour. A further 252 species which are either scarce or very local in the two states are covered by short accounts, with photographs in some cases. Finally, 45 species which have not been recorded since 1970 are listed with simple references where possible. The introductory chapters describe the geography of the two states, trends in the study of birds here, and some rural Haryana folktales involving birds."

Birds of Sanjay Gandhi National Park

Sunjoy Monga

2006

"This handy pocket guide to the birds of the Sanjay Gandhi National Park is very useful as it is very light, economical and informative. It is a one-stop-shop which gives all information starting with how to reach the Park to its details, biodiversity and trail directions. With this book you know the best time to visit the Park so as to make your trip completely worth its while."

A Pocket Guide to the Birds of Arunachal Pradesh

Anwaruddin Choudhury

The Rhino Foundation

2006

A checklist with status information on the birds of Arunachal Pradesh.

Birds of Manas National Park

Anwaruddin Choudhury

The Rhino Foundation

2006

A checklist with status information on the birds of the Manas National Park (Project Tiger reserve and UNESCO Natural World Heritage park) in western Assam.

The Bharatpur Inheritance

Bikram Grewal and Bittu Sahgal

2006

"A World Heritage Site, Bharatpur is visited each year by over 125,000 tourists, more than a third from overseas. This tiny 29 sq. km. pocket of biodiversity is one of the most celebrated migratory bird habitats in Asia. The park is host to 388 species of birds, both resident and migratory. The book showcases some of the finest images ever taken in this exquisite and fragile Rajasthani forest and these are supplemented with texts by the most respected and accomplished bird experts, researchers and writers."

Birds of Bharatpur

Rajpal Singh

"The Keoladeo Ghana National Park in India's is one of the most celebrated bird sanctuaries in the world. This work offers a detailed and personal account, of the different kind birds that reside in, and visit, including that celebrated winter visitor, the endangered Siberian crane."

Important Bird Areas in India: Priority sites for conservation

Editors: M. Zafar-ul Islam & Asad R. Rahmani

2005

"Important Bird Areas in India is the result of five years' exhaustive work by the BNHS and a large number of people. The data, which form the core of the book, have been collected by more than 1000 people: many hundreds of professional and amateur ornithologists, birdwatchers, conservationists, forest officials and others interested in birds, and BNHS and a large number of people. It is the most detailed publication ever produced on the subject of birds or conservation and it uncovers, analyses and assesses all the evidence, presenting it together with all the sources. The study gives a detailed analysis of sites that have been identified for bird conservation in India on the basis of globally accepted criteria. Each bird area is introduced with maps, analysis, and avifauna section with tables of threatened species present and brief description of threatened birds, which have important habitats in the relevant states. It uncovers, analyses and assesses all the evidence, presenting it together with all the sources. The study shows that out of 465 important bird areas in India, 191 wildlife sanctuaries have been identified as IBAs, 52 are national parks, 23 are tiger reserves, while 198 are not officially protected."

Birds of Southern India

Richard Grimmett and Tim Inskipp

Helm Field Guides

Christopher Helm

2005

"This guide is a successor to the much acclaimed Birds of the Indian Subcontinent by the same authors. Covering southern India, the superb plates are accompanied by a succinct text highlighting identification, voice, habitat, altitudinal range, distribution and status. The text is on facing pages to the plates, for easy reference. Like previous guides covering Bhutan, Northern India and Nepal, this guide is a perfect size for use in the field and will be an essential companion when visiting this region."

Birds of South Asia. The Ripley Guide

Volume 1: Field Guide

Volume 2: Attributes and Status

Pamela C. Rasmussen and John C. Anderton

2005

A two volume work covering over 1500 species recorded in India, Bangladesh, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Bhutan, Maldives, the Chagos archipelago and Afghanistan.

Volume one is a field guide with 176 colour plates, 69 of which are by Anderton. The plates are accompanied by brief text to aid identification and range maps.

Volume two comprises mainly detailed species accounts for all species including information on identification, measurements, subspecies, distribution, plumage variation, habits, voice and taxonomy.

A Photographic Guide to Birds of the Himalayas

Bikram Grewal and Otto Pfister

2nd edition

2004

"Ideal for the travelling bird watcher, this useful guide provides a comprehensive overview of the wide variety of birdlife to be found in the Himalayan mountains bordering Pakistan, India and Nepal. Over 250 native species are included in the book, each description supported by a clear colour photograph taken where possible in the bird's natural Himalayan habitat. As well as the commoner species likely to be encountered - colourful endemics such as Tragopans, Forktails and Flycatchers - the guide also focuses on some of the rarer, and in some cases highly endangered, species such as the Black-necked Crane."

Birds of Western Ghats, Kokan and Malabar (Including Birds of Goa)

Satish Pande, Saleef Tambe, Clement Francis and Niranjan Sant

2004

"The Western Ghats of India, identified as a World Biodiversity hotspot by Birdlife International, is an ecological zone of global importance, and supports a variety of habitats. The birdlife of this vulnerable hotspot of biodiversity has been comprehensively detailed in this work."

Birds: Beyond Watching

Abdul Jamil Urfi

2004

"Birdwatching is reckoned to be an important tool for initiating the process of inquiry into the natural world. Birds are colorful, full of movement and diurnal. They capture the popular imagination and are also important symbols of the conservation movement. With natural habitats being increasingly threatened, there is a greater need for biodiversity monitoring, bringing about a greater awareness of environmental concerns and action. In this regard, amateur birdwatchers are an important target group as they have a role to play, not only in the dissemination of information, but also in assisting professional conservationists in gathering data on bird distributions and abundance. Clearly, there is also a need for a book which takes amateur birdwatchers beyond simply watching birds and treating them merely as objects of identification, much in the same ways as a stamp collector does with his or her stamp collection. This book should acquaint birdwatchers, nature lovers, students of biodiversity (especially those from a non-zoology background but also those from a zoology background) with ecology, conservation issues, bird study principles, and above all the methods of observing and recording. This book is a departure from the conventional books as it is written in a light, easy to read style, peppered with anecdotes."

Birds of Kangra

Jan Willem den Besten

2004

"Combining over 500 photographs with precise descriptions and stories drawn from rich local folklore, this is a thoroughly researched account of the more than 550 species of birds and a unique souvenir of the area."

Birds of Goa. A Reference Book

Heinz Lainer

"Goa is a prime birdwatching destination, with coastal habitats, a network of saline and freshwater wetlands, and nearby the rich, virgin forests of the Western Ghats. This comprehensive reference provides information on the habitat, population, distribution, migration, breeding status and other aspects of the 420 bird species recorded in Goa."

Birds of Delhi

Ranjit Lal

2004

"This book introduces the reader to various birding areas in ans around the city, and highlights the birdlife found there . An entire chapter is devoted to bird activity during the different seasons of the year, and the main section of the book profiles around 150 species of birds, given a brief physical description of each, with their habits and favoured habitats, and status-whether these are residents, migrants, local migrants, rare, common etc."

Birds and Mammals of Ladakh

Otto Pfister

2004

"This is the first comprehensive field-guide on ornithology and mammal life in the Ladakh region; provides authoritative information on 276 bird species and 30 larger mammal species found in the region, including their local names, alternative names, habitat, behaviour, status, and distribution; supplements the results of author's own investigations with historical records of the first expeditions into the region in the mid-eighteenth century; makes practical suggestions on how to conserve the fragile ecosystem of this region and enjoy its beauty without destroying it; includes nearly 450 fine colour plates; and an indispensable companion to researchers, scientists, bird-watchers, and nature lovers."

Contents: Acknowledgements; Introduction; How to Use this Book; Regions and Ecosystems; Section I: Birds - Galliformes/ Geese and Ducks/Woodpeckers, Rollers, Kingfishers, and Bee-eaters/ Cuckoos and Swifts/ Owls, Nightjars, and Pigeons/ Cranes, Crakes, and Waders/ Pratincoles, Gulls, and Terns/ Raptors/Grebes, Egrets, and Storks/Shrikes and Corvids/Thrushes, Flycatchers, Redstarts, and Wheatears/Starlings, Creepers, Tits, and Swallos/Warblers/Larks, Wagtails, and Finches; Section II: Mammals - Carnivores/Ungulates/Rodents/Lagomorphs; Section III: Photos; Section IV: Glossary/Further Reading/Useful Addresses/Checklist of Birds and Mammals in Ladakh/Index."

Birds of Northern India

Richard Grimmett and Tim Inskipp

Helm Field Guides

Christopher Helm

2003

"A successor to "Birds of the Indian Subcontinent", by the same authors, this handbook explores the birdlife of northern India and Pakistan. The plates are accompanied by text that highlights the identification, voice, habitat, altitudinal range, distribution and status of the birds. The text is on pages facing the plates for easy reference, and there are distribution maps for every species."

Birds of Northern India

Richard Grimmett and Tim Inskipp

Princeton Field Guides

Princeton University Press

2003

"From the wet evergreen forests and alpine peaks of the Himalayas, to the Thar Desert and the vast wetlands, grasslands, and agricultural habitats that stretch to New Delhi and beyond, northern India is a diverse and welcoming paradise for birders and ecotourists. This field guide provides a concise, fully illustrated introduction to the region's known species. Species that occur regularly are illustrated on 120 color plates by eminent bird illustrators from Europe and India. The illustrations show distinctive sexual and racial variations whenever possible, as well as immature plumages. Succinct entries on the facing pages highlight plumage, body length and other visible identification traits, voice, altitudinal range and habitats, distribution, and status. Thirty-five of the region's species are threatened with global extinction, in particular the White-rumped Vulture, Siberian Crane, Forest Owlet, Pink-headed Duck, and Himalayan Quail. Introductory sections cover the region's geography and ecology, ten choice birdwatching areas among the many in northern India, plus conservation and general birding advice. Unusually detailed distribution maps are also included, and an appendix describes vagrants and rare species."

A Photographic Guide to the Birds of India: Including Nepal, Sri Lanka, the Maldives, Pakistan, Bangladesh & Bhutan

Bikram Grewal, Bill Harvey and Otto Pfister

2003

"This is the most comprehensive photographic guide to the birds of India and the Indian subcontinent. Never before have so many of the region's species been illustrated in one book. The brilliant photographs - most of which appear here for the first time - have been carefully selected to show not only the most common Passerine and non-Passerine species, but also more elusive species and distinctive subspecies. An up-to-date distribution map and a unique code indicating frequency and global status are provided for each of the 668 species covered. The concise text provides vital information on habitats, habits, and voice to ensure accurate identification. Designed for easy use, the book places photos and maps in close proximity to provide an at-a-glance overview for each species. Birds are indexed by both their common and scientific names. This is an essential volume for all birdwatchers and wildlife enthusiasts as well as for anyone traveling to India, Nepal, Sri Lanka, the Maldives, Pakistan, Bangladesh, or Bhutan."

A Photographic Guide to the Birds of India: Including Nepal, Sri Lanka, the Maldives, Pakistan, Bangladesh & Bhutan

Bikram Grewal, Bill Harvey and Otto Pfister

2003

"This guide covers 800 species found in India. Each species description is illustrated with a photograph and distribution map, making this a quick-reference guide in a pocketable format. Introductory sections include general information, such as the biogeography of the region covered."

Petronia: Fifty Years of Post-Independence Ornithology in India

J.C. Daniels and Gavatri W. Ugra

2003

"Co-published with the Bombay Natural History Society, this commemorative volume in honor of Ali who had been involved with the history society since he was a child comprises 24 articles on ornithology by his friends, colleagues, and students."

Birds of Mumbai

Sunjoy Monga

India Book House

2003

"Birds of Mumbai is a compact field guide that enables easy identification of over 250 birds, classified under four distinct habitats - wetlands, forests, grass and scrub, and urban areas. A detailed description of the plumage, habits, size, distinguishing calls, as well as distribition and status of each species is supported with Carl D'Silva's fine illustrations in watercolour."

Birds of the Indus

Mubashir Hasan

2003

"The Indus valley is home to birds of the South Asian subcontinent, East Africa, Europe and much of the rest of Asia. According to T.J. Roberts, the region serves as a great caravan-serai for Eurasian Avifauna travellers. Ornithologists give different figures of the total number of the species of birds in the Indus valley and its adjoining lands. In this book, the author, who, though no specialist, with his passion and love for birds, has attempted to present his rare collection of photographs with a complete description of the birds, their appearance, size, habits and habitat. According to him, birds have been nature's very special gift to our planet and there was a time when man accorded special recognition to birds. Supporting this, he has taken narrated references to human cultural associations with the different species and also written the legends and traditions, particularly folklore, associated with them. The descriptions are accompanied with coloured photographs and vernacular names common to the inhabitants of the valley."

A Pocketguide to the Birds of Nagaland

Anwaruddin Choudhury

Gibbon Books

2003

Birds Of Kaziranga National Park: A Checklist

Anwaruddin Choudhury

Rhino Foundation

2003

Birds of Wetlands and Grasslands

Asad R. Rahmani & Gayatri Ugra

2002

"The proceedings of the Sálim Ali Centenary Seminar on birds of wetlands and grasslands (February 12-15, 1996, Mumbai, India) is a storehouse of information which includes the papers that were a part of the seminar. The topics covered by students, national and international experts at the seminar were conservation of cranes; ducks and geese; bustards and floricans; raptors; waders, storks and herons; wetlands."

Endemic Birds of India

J.M. Dasgupta, Sipra Basu Roy, Bitan Kumar Datta

2002

Contents:

• Introduction
• Endemism and endemic taxa in India
• Handlist of endemic species in India
• Ecosystem wise distribution of Indian endemic taxa
• Distribution of the endemic species
• Systematic account
• Endemic genera in India according to Ripley (1961)
• Endemic species in India according to Ripley (1961)
• List of endemic taxa not included in Ripley's (1961) list but incorporated in the present text
• Summary
• References

Splendid Plumage: Indian Birds by British Artists

Jagmohan Mahajan

2001

"A beautifully illustrated collection that spans over a century of British involvement in India. Many of the British officers found the local fauna fascinating, and their enthusiasm, together with the work of Indian artists, went on to lay the foundations for modern Indian ornithology."

Birds of Pune

Anchal Sondhi et al

2001

"With over 400 species of birds, Pune District is a veritable paradise for birdwatchers, with varied habitats like wetlands, grasslands, forts, ghats and forests. This publication will assist you in knowing these feathered friends better. Accompanied by maps and illustrations, colour plates, bird notes and a detailed checklist for Pune, this handy bird guide is not only useful for a beginner, but also provides interesting information for every bird lover in Pune and around. In addition to tips for bird identification for a 100 common birds of Pune, the book includes elaborate information about birdwatching spots in and around Pune. The book is useful across the Western Ghats and other parts of Western and Southern India as well."

Wildlife Of India

Mark F. Tritsch

Collins

2001

"This guide contains photographs and descriptions of 140 species you are likely to encounter either on a holiday or journey around India. Although the country is perhaps best known for the tiger or the Indian elephant, many other mammals, birds, reptiles, invertebrates, trees and shrubs are also included. In addition, there is information on India's history, climate, conservation, culture, finding and observing wildlife, and a section on the country's national parks."

Biology of Indian Barbets

H.S.A. Yahya

2001

"The barbets are a prominent group of tree-hole nesting birds. They belong to an extensive family (Capitonidae) with members in most tropical and subtropical parts of the world. Though the colouration of Indian barbet is largely green, they remain camouflaged mostly and draw attention to themselves by their calls. The name barbets has been derived from French Barbu (=bearded) which is suggested by the presence of nasal and rictal bristles. Food constitutes largely fruits but almost all species also feed considerable amount of insects, especially during breeding seasons. Paucity of information on the ecology and biology of the Asiatic barbets prompted an extensive field study by the author on these birds. It seemed desirable also to attempt an explanation of how these birds could coexist in the same restricted habitat, without serious competition and mutual exclusion. The book, thus contains a detail account of their comparative ecology and biology. Feeding impact of barbets on the coffee plantation has also been discussed. Contrary to general belief as minor pest, barbets may help the coffee plantation by picking and eating the White Borerae a serious pest on coffee plant. They also control the teak defoliator caterpillars. Barbets are economically important and play a significant role in controlling various harmful insects, in cross-pollination and seed dispersal of trees. Though barbets are presently common at many places, the declining trend in forest cover would be detrimental for their sustainable survival."

Field Guide to the Birds of the Indian Subcontinent

Krys Kazmierczak

Pica Press

2000

"This compact, easy to use guide covers all 1300 species of birds found on the Indian subcontinent. It provides a companion for anyone travelling in Pakistan, India, Nepal, Bhutan, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka, and should also be useful in peripheral regions for which few guides exist."

The Birds of Assam

Anwaruddin Choudhury

The Rhino Foundation

2000