Birds of India

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India is endowed with a large variety of physiographic and climatic situations and attitudinal variations which support habitats and ecosystems ranging tropical sub-tropical temperate and to desert These varied ecosystems ultimately sustain high biological diversity and richness Out of the 36 Biodiversity hotspots recognized globally, India has four se hotspots besides being recognised e of the 17 Megodiverse countries in the world.

The vast found diversity of India can be attributed to about 103.258 species constituting nearly 656 percent of the world's living organisms with a high level of endemism (Banerjee et al 2022 Animal discoveries, ZSI) Agan among vertebrates, birds contribute a significant number and as per Praveen et of (2020) 1332 bird species, which is almost 13% of bird species recognised globally are recorded within the Indian jurisdictional boundary.

In general birds belong to one of the successful groups of vertebrates as they come in all colours and sizes ranging from the 5 cm 12 inch) Bee Hummingbird to the 275 m (9 ft.) Ostrich in India more than that of the bird species are perching birds (belonging to the Order Passerines) Except a few species of flightless birds others have powerful fight mechanisms that takes them to distant locations especially while migrating from one region to another within or outside the country Birds occur on land sea freshwater and virtually in every habitat from the lowest deserts to the high mountains Often these habitats and associated fora and found determine the food and feeding habits of each Bird species. Furthermore, birds also act as good pollinators thereby benefiting mankind in improving food security and safeguarding crops from insects and other pests octing as bio-control agents (Clout and Hay 1989) Birds are also indicators of biodiversity changes and good monitors of environmental changes such as level of contaminations and environmental impacts (Sutherland 2000).

The basic study of avifauna of any particular site begins with the preparation of a list of species found there A good bird List indicates the diversity of the site and enhances our knowledge and understanding about habitat preference, and food habits of each species. Most species typically occur in a specific habitat and understanding that association helps us frame conservation measures that lead to safeguarding both the species as well as its habitat.

As bird watching is a recognised hobby in India amateur birdwatchers and even researchers use field guide to identify and then document birds for future reference, thus a good field guide with colour illustrations or photographs of birds with adequate descriptive information about identifying characters is vital Keeping this in mind this field guide has only the essential diagnostic text for each species with good field photographs for easy recognition Our predecessors have also documented bird life vividly in great detail and this practice started in ancient India in around 3000 BC if we go back to the history of this period we will learn many interesting facts about how we coexisted with birds and even revered their Ife.

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