Birds and Mammals of Ladakh

About this book

Birds and Mammals of Ladakh is the first-ever thorough documentation of the wealth of wildlife from the Ladakh region. It puts together material from publications dating back to the first adventurous expeditions during the mid-eighteenth century into the unknown highlands of 'Cashmere' or 'Little Tibet', and available published and unpublished modern research material, trip reports, and checklists with the results of the author's own investigations.

Birds and Mammals of Ladakh provides extensive information, along with carefully selected photographs, on all recorded species of birds and larger mammals in the region, including their local names, alternative names, habitat, behaviour, status, and distribution. A total of 310 bird species has been reported from the Ladakh region. Birds and Mammals of Ladakh includes full descriptions and illustrations of 276 bird species, together with concise citings of the 34 species which have not been sighted after 1960. It also portraits the 33 mammal species found in Ladakh, at least two of which have not been seen for some time.

Ladakh, like any other high-altitude desert in the world, has a fragile ecosystem that can be easily spoiled by unimaginative planning and uncontrolled tourism. Birds and Mammals of Ladakh offers practical and specific views on how to conserve ecosystems and enjoy the region's beauty without destroying it. Bird-watchers, naturalists, scientists and researchers with an interest in Ladakh should find it an invaluable companion.

Contents

Acknowledgements
Introduction
How to Use This Book
Regions and Ecosystems

SECTION I
BIRDS
Galliformes
Geese and Ducks
Woodpeckers, Rollers, Kingfishers, and Bee-eaters
Cuckoos and Swifts
Owls, Nightjars, and Pigeons
Cranes, Crakes, and Waders
Pratincoles, Gulls, and Terns
Raptors
Grebes, Egrets, and Storks
Shrikes and Corvids
Thrushes, Flycatchers, Redstarts, and Wheatears
Starlings, Creepers, Tits, and Swallows
Warblers
Larks, Wagtails, and Finches

SECTION II
MAMMALS
Carnivores
Ungulates
Rodents
Lagomorphs

SECTION III
Photos

SECTION IV
Glossary
Further Reading
Useful Addresses
Checklist of Birds and Mammals in Ladakh
Index

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