Jerdon's Courser Rhinoptilus Bitorquatus: a Critically Endangered Bird's Ecology and Conservation in Sri Lankamalleswaram Wildlife Sanctuary, India

Jerdon?s courser is scheduled as Critically Endangered (CE) in IUCN Red list. This bird was first discovered by Dr. T. C. Jerdon in 1848. For over 80 years, this bird was presumed extinct and several surveys to discover it by researchers of BNHS, India and Smithsonian Institute, USA Prove Futile. But this bird was rediscovered by researcher from BNHS in Sri Lankamalleswaram forest area of Andhra Pradesh, India. Conservationists all over the World turned their attention on the ?great lost and found bird?. Then the Andhra Pradesh state government declared 465 sq.km area in Lankamalleswaram forest in 1988 as sanctuary for the protection of Jerdon?s courser. But there was no ecological studies were carried out on this bird, this work is first of its kind carried out with the collaborations of A. F. Forest department with World bank financial assistance. This book can be used as an under and post graduate text / reference book in life science, zoology and ornithology and also researchers, wildlife enthusiasts and tourists who are concerned with ornithology. I am grateful to authorities of Annamalai University for their great permission to write this book.