---

Saurashtra region, part of Gujarat state, is western area of India. The semiarid region experiences annual rainfall variations with frequent droughts. The undulating topology of the region facilitates natural and manmade wetlands. The inland is dotted with manmade irrigation dams, check dams and village ponds, subject to human use; either for irrigation, potable use or both. The region falls on the migratory way of birds entering Indian subcontinent via Afghanistan. Piscivorous birds have great influence on prey population and indirectly on wetland ecology. The book is divided in six chapters. Chapter 1 introduces the birds and literature throughout the world including India. Chapter 2 describes the study area. Chapter 3 discusses population dynamics on three sites. The monthly variation of bird population on these sites reflects the wetland condition in the surrounding. Chapter 4 discusses habitat utilization in a reservoir Nyari-I. Medium sized manmade reservoir ideally reflects the habitat changes over the time in the wetlands of the region. Chapter 5 describes food and feeding ecology of the birds in the region. Chapter 6 discusses breeding ecology of the piscivorous birds.

---

Dr. Sanjay Dave started his career as Research Fellow in a biodiversity study of Wild Ass Sanctuary, Little Rann of Kutch, unique saline desert in India. He studied invertebrate and herpetofauna in the region. After completing the project as Research Fellow, Dr. Dave joined for the Doctoral degree.

---