New book celebrates bird of great charisma which inhabits the plains and wetlands of India and South-east Asia

This important study of a highly charismatic bird has just been published. The Painted Stork inhabits the plains and wetlands of India and South-east Asia. It is a species under threat largely because of habitat loss but also because, as a fish-eater, it is imperilled by environmental toxins, particularly organochlorine pesticides, which travel rapidly along aquatic food chains. Covering all aspects of the bird's ecology, behaviour, conservation and its relationship with humans, this extensively-illustrated monograph contains a wealth of new insights. Written by Abdul Jamil Urfi, it is published in paperback by Pelagic Publishing at £24.99.