Threatened Birds of Odisha

This book is one among the smaller state-specific companion volumes to the comprehensive Threatened Birds of India by the first author. Here, the authors describe 8 Critically Endangered, 5 Endangered, 11 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, P.A. managers, bird-watchers and conservation-minded citizens in general. Numerous high quality images of the species in their natural habitats add value to this publication.

Asad R. Rahmani, PhD. the former Director of Bombay Natural History Society (BNHS), is now Senior Scientific Adviser of the Society. He joined BNHS in 1980 after completing PhD. and worked as Principal Scientist in various prestigious projects of the Society for 12 years. In 1991 he joined as Reader in the Department of Wildlife Sciences, Aligarh Muslim University, and later became its Chairman. He rejoined BNHS in May 1997 as Director. He has published 19 books, 160 scientific papers, 60-65 editorials, 30 book reviews and about 250 popular articles on nature. He was the Chairman of BirdLife Asia for eight years, and member of the Global Council of BirdLife International. Dr. Rahmani also served as member of the National Board for Wildlife for ten years. His principal research interest has been conservation of Indian bustards, storks, and cranes, and many other threatened bird species, as well as grasslands and wetlands. He is the Executive Editor of the Journal of the Bombay Natural History Society, and former editor of Hornbill and Mistnet magazines.

An avid naturalist since childhood, Manoj Nair has over 25 years of experience in watching birds. He obtained a Master's degree in Wildlife Science from the Wildlife Institute of India and joined the Indian Forest Service in 2001. His career has largely been in the wildlife sector, briefly in Assam (2003-2006) and then in Odisha, with postings at Assam State Zoo & Botanical Garden; Similipal Tiger Reserve (also a National Park, Biosphere Reserve and part of an Elephant Reserve); Debrigarh Wildlife Sanctuary; Wild Animal Conservation Centre, Sambalpur; Nandankanan Zoological Park & Wildlife Sanctuary and the State Botanical Garden, Odisha. Presently in the rank of Conservator of Forests, he is on deputation to the UNESCO Category 2 Centre at the Wildlife Institute of India, Dehradun, where he works as Scientist-F. Author of six books and about fifty scientific publications since 1990, he won the Kailash Sankhala National Wildlife Award of the Ministry of Environment and Forests, Govt. of India, for the year 2012.

disha is the ninth largest state of India. In the geographical area of 1,55,707 sq. km, the total recorded forest area is 58,136 sq. km. Out of the 1,303 bird species reported from India, nearly 524 species are found in the state. Every year, BirdLife International, UK, brings out an updated list of globally Threatened species of birds for IUCN. The 2014 list, on which this book is largely based, has 172 species of globally Threatened and Near Threatened categories in India. Out of it, 43 are found in Odisha. Three species, Great Indian Bustard, Pink-headed Duck and Greater Adjutant are now extinct in Odisha. There are still some chances to find Spoon-billed Sandpiper and Forest Owlet in Odisha.

In 2012, Bombay Natural History Society published a comprehensive book on Threatened Birds of India by Asad R. Rahmani. Later on the need was felt to publish state-wise books about Threatened bird species, as they would be more relevant, useful, and easily accessed by the forest department and other agencies at state level, where most of the conservation action is decided and implemented.

This is the sixth book in this series.

In this book, we try to describe all the globally Threatened and Near Threatened species which are still found in the state. The major species are described in detail, while marginal species which have limited historical and present records are briefly dealt with. The book follows the list of globally Threatened and Near Threatened bird species published by BirdLife International in 2014. BirdLife regularly updates the list for International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). This book provides comprehensive information about six Critically Endangered species, four Endangered species, 11 Vulnerable species, and 21 Near Threatened species which have been reported from Odisha and which need conservation attention.

We have given general recommendations in the Introduction chapter and also specific recommendations under each species. We hope that our book will generate interest among decision makers, researchers, students, teachers, and civil society at large. If the status of threatened birds improves, we will be satisfied that our attempt has not gone in vain.

With its low price and easy accessibility in the state, we hope that it will be used by forest officers, decision makers, researchers and birdwatchers for the protection of birds and their habitats. We also hope that the book will generate more interest in birdwatching.

Odisha Biodiversity Board (OBB) is committed to highlight the conservation status of lesser known groups of plants and animals and threatened species in the state so that awareness among the masses can be generated, and help and cooperation from all corners is received for their conservation. Without involvement of all the sections of society it is not possible to conserve the biodiversity of the state which is our ecological security for future.

The state of Odisha, due to its strategic location and broad range of ecosystems, supports rich diversity of flora and fauna. Among the fa u nal diversity, Odisha is home to over 500 species of birds which includes both residential and migratory ones. On one hand having such a rich avian diversity is a matter of pride for the state but at the same time this confers a huge responsibility on the managers and all other stakeholders to conserve it sustainably. This has emerged as a great challenge for all of us.

OBB in collaboration with National Biodiversity Authority and Bombay Natural History Society has undertaken the work of present publication titled as "Threatened Birds of Odisha". This work is an indicator of the conservation status of avian fauna in our state. The authors have made an attempt to provide information on the diversity, distribution, ecology and conservation status of 46 species of birds of Odisha that are categorised under Critically Endangered (CR), Endangered (EN) and Vulnerable (VU) following the IUCN criteria.

It is hoped that this work will create awareness and highlight the need for conservation of these threatened avian members of the state and pave the ways for further studies.

**Contents and Sample Pages**