The ''Handbook of the Birds of India and Pakistan'' is the '' magnum opus'' of Indian

ornithologist Ornithology is a branch of zoology that concerns the "methodological study and consequent knowledge of birds with all that relates to them." Several aspects of ornithology differ from related disciplines, due partly to the high visibility and th ...

Salim Ali, written along with

S. Dillon Ripley S is the nineteenth letter of the English alphabet. S may also refer to: History * an Anglo-Saxon charter's number in Peter Sawyer's, catalogue Language and linguistics * Long s (ſ), a form of the lower-case letter s formerly used where "s ...

. Appended to the title is the phrase "''together with those of Bangladesh, Nepal, Sikkim, Bhutan and Sri Lanka''". The 10 volume work, often referred to as "the handbook", was started in 1964 and ended in 1974. A single volume "compact edition" of the "Handbook" was also produced and a supplementary illustrative work ''A Pictorial Guide to the Birds of the Indian Subcontinent'' with illustrations by

John Henry Dick John Henry Dick (May 12, 1919 – September 22, 1995) was an American naturalist and wildlife artist who specialized in birds. Early life Dick was born in at his parents' townhouse in Brooklyn, New York on May 12, 1919. His parents were William K ...

, coauthored with Dillon Ripley, was published in 1983. The plates from this supplement were incorporated in the second edition of the "Handbook". The second edition was completed by others, notably J. S. Serrao of the BNHS,

Bruce Beehler Bruce M. Beehler (born October 11, 1951, in Baltimore) is an ornithologist and research associate of the Bird Division of the Smithsonian Institution's National Museum of Natural History. Prior to this appointment, Beehler worked for Conservation ...

, Michel Desfayes and

Pamela Rasmussen Pamela Cecile Rasmussen (born October 16, 1959) is an American ornithologist and expert on Asian birds. She was formerly a research associate at the Smithsonian Institution in Washington, D.C., and is based at the Michigan State University. She ...

, after the deaths of Ali in 1987 and Ripley in 2001. ;Volumes: with publication dates *1 �
Divers to Hawks
(1e 1968, 2e 1978) **(Loons; Grebes; Petrels & Shearwaters; Tropicbirds; Pelicans; Boobies; Cormorants & Darter; Frigate birds; Herons, Egrets, Bitterns; Storks; Ibises & Spoonbill; Flamingos; Ducks, Geese, Swans; Hawks, Eagles, Vultures etc.) *2 – Megapodes to Crab Plover (1e 1969, 2e 1980) **(Megapodes; Pheasants, Partridges, Francolins, Quails, Peafowls etc.; Button-quails; Cranes; Rails, Crakes & Coots; Finfoots; Bustards; Jacanas; Oystercatchers; Plovers & Lapwings; Sandpipers, Snipes, Godwits, Stints etc.; Phalaropes; Snipes; Stilts, Avocets, Ibisbills; Crab plovers) *3 – Stone Curlews to Owls (1e 1969, 2e 1981) **(Stone-curlews or Thick-knees; Coursers & Pratincoles; Skuas & Jaegars; Gulls & Terns; Sandgrouses; Pigeons & Doves; Parrots; Cuckoos; Barn owls; Owls) *4 – Frogmouths to Pittas (1e 1970, 2e 1983) **(Frogmouths; Nightjars; Swifts; Trogons; Kingfishers; Bee-eaters; Rollers; Hoopoes; Hornbills; Barbets; Honeyguides; Wrynecks; Piculets; Woodpeckers; Broadbills; Pittas) *5 – Larks to the Grey Hypocolius (1e 1972, 2e 1986) ** (Larks; Swallows & Martins; Shrikes; Orioles; Drongos; Wood-swallows; Mynas & Starlings; Crows, Jays, Treepies; Waxwings) *6 – Cuckoo-Shrikes to Babaxes (1e 1971, 2e 1996) **(Cuckooshrikes & Minivets; Fairy Bluebirds, Ioras, Leafbirds; Bulbuls; Babblers) *7 – Laughing Thrushes to the Mangrove Whistler (1e 1972, 2e 1996) **(Laughingthrushes, Shrike-babblers, Tit-babblers, Sibias; Flycatchers) *8 – Warblers to Redstarts (1e 1973, 2e 1997) **(Tesias; Bush-warblers; Prinias; Tailor birds; Grassbirds; Warblers; Leaf warblers; Shortwings, Thrushes, Chats & Redstarts) *9 – Robins to Wagtails (1e 1973, 2e 1998) **(Chats, Forktails, Whistling-thrushes, Thrushes; Wrens; Dippers; Accentors; Tits; Nuthatches; Creepers; Pipits & Wagtails) *10 – Flowerpeckers to Buntings (1e 1974, 2e 1999) **(Flowerpeckers; Sunbirds; White-eyes; House & Rock Sparrows; Weaverbirds & Bayas; Avadavats & Munias; Goldfinches & Allies; Buntings)

References

Ornithological handbooks Books about India Books about Pakistan * {{bird-book-stub