This book is the fourth in the series of statewise volumes on threatened birds of India, and is largely derived from Threatened Birds of India (2012) by Dr. Asad R. Rahmani, published by BNHS/OUP. Information has been updated according to the latest IUCN 2013 Red List for Birds, incorporating the changes in threat status recommended by BirdLife International, UK. The book describes the threatened and near threatened avian species of the state of Uttar Pradesh, with notes on their distribution, ecology, historical records and current distribution. Based on this updated information, appropriate recommendations have been made regarding the conservation action that needs to be taken for each species.

The Introduction has been supplemented with short notes on extinct birds of Uttar Pradesh as well as threatened birds likely to be found in the state. Detailed descriptions are given for the species for which Uttar Pradesh holds critical habitats. Shorter descriptions are given for species marginal to the state. The book is intended to be a handy reference for interested readers, as well as decision makers at the state level, where conservation actions are implemented.

Table of Contents:
CONTENTS Preface .............................................................................................. vii Messages .......................................................................................... viii–x Foreword ........................................................................................... xi Acknowledgements .......................................................................... xii Introduction ...................................................................................... 1–23 Updates in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Birds ........................... 24 Extinct birds of Uttar Pradesh ........................................................... 29 Threatened birds likely to be found in Uttar Pradesh ....................... 32 Trade of wild birds ............................................................................ 35 CRITICALLY ENDANGERED White-backed Vulture ....................................................................... 43 Long-billed Vulture ........................................................................... 49 Slender-billed Vulture ....................................................................... 52 Red-headed Vulture .......................................................................... 57 Bengal Florican.................................................................................. 61 ENDANGERED Baer’s Pochard .................................................................................. 72 Egyptian Vulture ............................................................................... 73 Lesser Florican .................................................................................. 79 Black-bellied Tern .............................................................................. 82 VULNERABLE Swamp Francolin ............................................................................... 86 Marbled Teal ..................................................................................... 92 Sarus Crane ....................................................................................... 95 Pallas’s Fish-eagle ............................................................................. 103 Greater Spotted Eagle ....................................................................... 107 Indian Spotted Eagle ......................................................................... 110 Lesser Adjutant ................................................................................. 114 Indian Skimmer ................................................................................. 118 Great Slaty Woodpecker .................................................................... 123 Bristled Grassbird .............................................................................. 127 White-throated Bushchat ................................................................. 131 Yellow Weaver .................................................................................. 135 vi vi Threatened Birds of Maharashtra CONTENTS (contd.) NEAR THREATENED Falcated Duck .................................................................................... 141 Ferruginous Duck .............................................................................. 143 Lesser Flamingo ................................................................................ 147 Painted Stork ..................................................................................... 150 Black-necked Stork ............................................................................ 154 Black-headed Ibis .............................................................................. 160 Spot-billed Pelican ............................................................................ 165 Oriental Darter .................................................................................. 169 Laggar Falcon .................................................................................... 173 Lesser Fish-eagle ............................................................................... 177 Grey-headed Fish-eagle .................................................................... 180 Cinereous Vulture ............................................................................. 183 Pallid Harrier ..................................................................................... 186 Eurasian Curlew ................................................................................ 189 River Tern, ......................................................................................... 192 River Lapwing.................................................................................... 195 European Roller ................................................................................ 199 Great Pied Hornbill ........................................................................... 202 Rufous-rumped Grassbird ................................................................. 206 REFERENCES .................................................................................... 209 Index ................................................................................................. 218