A Pictorial Guide to the Birds of the Indian Subcontinent (Hardcover)

~ Salim Ali (Author), S. Dillon Ripley (Author), John Henry Dick (Illustrator)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

For ornithologists, natural history enthusiasts, environmentalists, and amateur birdwatchers, this revised edition of a 1983 book is essential as the only single-volume guide available of birds in India. Unlike similar books, which only cover one region and even then only a small portion of species in their area, this volume includes all the bird species found in the Indian subcontinent, shown in over 90 color plates from noted American bird painter John Henry Dick. The plates have been arranged by family in systematic order, and the author provides concise information concerning status, size, habitat, and distribution. This is an indispensable guide to some of the most exotic birdlife found anywhere in the world.

About the Author

The late Salim Ali was one of the world's greatest ornithologists.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 274 pages
• Publisher: Oxford University Press, USA; 2 edition (August 15, 1996)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0195637321
• ISBN-13: 978-0195637328
• Product Dimensions: 10.2 x 7.5 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.7 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #2,765,025 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The only complete field guide for the birds of India., August 13, 1998

By	Richard Trinkner ([e-mail]) (Colorado, USA) - See all my reviews

I used this book for three years while living in India. While its illustrations are not as robust or detailed as those of western field guides, they are usually adequate. First, and foremost, though, is that this volume is currently the ONLY book that contains all the species. Others contain a mere fraction. For that reason alone, this is the one book you should get for IDing birds in India. The rest lead only to disappointment, unless used in conjunction with this one.

This book is the illustration subset of the much larger Handbook, which comes in a 10-volume set (or in one tiny-print "compact" volume). The two work well together: one for your field forays, and one for the bookshelf back home. Be warned, though: the compact Handbook, while an exhaustive study of each species (including migration maps and exhumed stomach contents, etc.) is expensive when you can find it.