Birds of Prey of the Indian Subcontinent

Birds of Prey of the Indian Subcontinent. By Rishad Naoroji with illustrations by N. John Schmitt. 2006. Om Books International, New Delhi, India. 704 pp. ISBN 8187107699. Hardback, $100.00. —Finally there is a book on Asian raptors! This was a much neglected field of activity in the world of raptors. The Indian subcontinent’s (India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Myanmar and Bangladesh) spectacular and diverse array of habitats and biodiversity includes nearly 20% of the world’s diurnal raptors species. Although exhaustive books have been written about the region’s tigers, temples, tombs, and tandoori, very little has been published about the raptors that occur there. Since 2000, the spotlight in the Indian subcontinent has primarily been on vultures, as a result of their catastrophic population collapse due to consumption of livestock carcasses contaminated with the veterinary drug diclofenac. Although this issue has elicited much popular and scientific interest, there has never been a complete or satisfactory description or catalog of information about the region’s raptors published in one single source. Birds of Prey of the Indian Subcontinent thus fills a critical, previously empty space. With an approach that oozes with professionalism, passion, and a thirst for knowledge, Naoroji has examined each species, comparing them visually and providing a systematic account of each of the raptor species, what makes them special, and where one can find them. He takes a fresh look at raptor identification, reassessing relationships in light of new information. Perhaps most importantly, he combines this review and analysis with extensive field observations to give an accurate, incisive portrait of the birds in nature. Rishad Naoroji has observed and photographed raptors for nearly 20 yr in the role of an enthralled raptorphile. The product of decades of research and a lifetime’s passion, Birds of Prey of the Indian Subcontinent provides a comprehensive review of our knowledge of these fascinating and inspiring birds. The book begins with an easy-to-follow introduction, followed by a fascinating account about raptors in Indian history and mythology. I found particularly interesting the fact that almost all raptor species have been mentioned in Sanskrit literature dating back to ca. 1000 BC. The book also contains sections on biogeographic distribution, locating and observing raptors, and conservation and management, with particular emphasis on the catastrophic collapse of Gyps vulture populations in the Indian subcontinent over the last decade. It is therefore fitting (and brave, I might add) that the cover photograph of the book shows a glorious Long-billed Vulture (Gyps indicus), one of the three species of critically endangered Gyps vultures. Going beyond just the typical bird book, Naoroji is methodical in identifying challenges for raptor conservation in the Indian subcontinent by highlighting areas for action as well as research priorities for conservation and education. Being of Zoroastrian (Parsi) descent, Naoroji provides an ‘‘insider’s view’’ of the cultural rites of this community in a section entitled ‘‘Towers of Silence,’’: a tradition of disposal of the dead that dates back almost 2000 yr but is now on the verge of collapse primarily because of a lack of vultures. In the section ‘‘Raptors to Watch’’ he explicitly identifies and provides a rationale for vigilant monitoring of species such as the Lesser Fish-Eagle (Icthyophaga humilis), Indian Spotted Eagle (Aquila hastata), Shaheen Falcon (Falco peregrinus peregrinator) and Great Nicobar Serpent-Eagle (Spilornis klossi), all raptors that may require immediate conservation intervention. Each of the 69 species of migrant and resident raptors is discussed with precise detail. The species accounts include information on size and measurements, nomenclature and etymology, names in local languages, description, field characters, confusion species, status, distribution and habitat, behavior, food and feeding, voice, and breeding ecology. There is also a detailed range map for each species and a series of spectacular color photographs (Naoroji is also a brilliant photographer and has used many of his own photographs) depicting a range of plumages, races, and age groups. Although some photographs in the book are blurry, they are essential for identification purposes. The superb color plates by John Schmitt are a