The Western Ghats of India, identified as a World Biodiversity hotspot by Birdlife International, is an ecological zone of global importance. Together with the adjacent coastal areas of Kokan Goa, Karnataka, Kerala, and the Deccan Plateau, this Endemic Bird Area supports a variety of habitats marine waters, mangroves, mixed hill forests, montane grasslands and scrub forests. A vast spectrum of birdlife and other biodiversity is found here, but the area is under extreme pressure from human interference. As many as 44 of the bird species found here now feature in the Red Data Book as critical, endangered, vulnerable and near threatened species. The birdlife of this vulnerable hotspot of biodiversity has been comprehensively detailed in this first book of its kind. The classification followed is the current one by Sibley and Monroe, but Synopsis numbers are mentioned to link the species with Ali and Ripley s Handbook. It includes sexual dimorphism, variations in plumage, nests and nesting habits, food preferences, breeding behaviour, ring recoveries and other details. Cultural notes help the reader to relate to the species in the context of Indian culture and heritage. It includes an index of Scientific names, English, Marathi, and Sanskrit common names. In all, this book follows an entirely new approach among books on Indian birds.
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