Birds
of Prey of the Indian Subcontinent/Rishad Naoroji. New Delhi, Om Books
International, 2007, 692 p., colour plates, ISBN 81-87107-69-9.
Contents: Foreword. Acknowledgements. Preface. 1. Introduction. 2. Raptors in Indian history and mythology. 3. Biogeographical distribution. 4. Locating, observing and photographing raptors. 5. Conservation and management: i. Habitat-related problems. ii. Vultures. iii. Raptors to watch. iv. Areas for action. 6. Colour plates: I. Species accounts: i. Order Falconiformes. ii. Family Pandionidae. iii. Family Accipitridae. iv. Family Falconidae. Appendices. Bibliography. Index.
"The product of decades of research and a lifetime's interest, Birds of Prey of the Indian Subcontinent provides a complete review of our knowledge of these fascinating and inspiring birds. Each of the 69 species of migrant and resident raptors is discussed in detail; species accounts include information on size and measurements, nomenclature and etymology, names in local languages, field characters, confusion species, status, distribution and habitat (including a detailed range map), behaviour, food and feeding, voice, and breeding ecology. Each species account includes a series of spectacular colour photographs depicting a range of plumages, races and ages. In addition, John Schmitt's stunning colour plates cover all the resident species. The book also contains sections on biogeographic distribution, raptors in history and mythology, and locating and observing raptors, as well as on conservation, with particular emphasis on the crisis that has seen vulture populations plummet in recent years. This landmark publication is the most comprehensive book ever published about the subcontinent's raptors." (jacket)