Birds of Central Asia: Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Afghanistan

Description

Central Asia--a vast and remote area of steppe, semi-desert, and mountains separating Europe from eastern Asia--is home to a diversity of birds. Birds of Central Asia is the first-ever field guide to the avian population of this fascinating part of the world. From ground jays, larks, and raptors to warblers, nuthatches, and snowfinches, this comprehensive guide covers 618 species--including all residents, migrants, and vagrants--and 143 superb plates depict every species and many distinct plumages and races. This portable book contains important introductory sections on the land and its birds, and up-to-date color maps. The concise, authoritative text on facing pages highlights key identification features, such as status, voice, and habitat. Birds of Central Asia is indispensable for anyone interested in the birds of this remarkable and little-known region. * First-ever field guide to the birds of Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and Afghanistan * Covers 618 species, including all residents, migrants, and vagrants *143 superb plates depict every species and many distinct plumages and races * Authoritative text on facing pages highlights key identification features, including status, voice, and habitat * Up-to-date color maps for every species * Important introductory sections introduce the land and its birds

Raffael Aye, Manuel Schweizer, and Tobias Roth are ornithologists based at SVS/BirdLife Switzerland, the Natural History Museum of Bern, and the University of Basel, Switzerland, respectively. They are experts on the birds of Central Asia, and their notable achievements include the discovery of the breeding grounds of the Large-billed Reed Warbler in Tajikistan.

"This is a valuable and much-needed book, one that very neatly fills a hole in the bibliography of Palearctic birding and has instantly become the standard guide to the region."--Steve Rooke, ABA Blog "This is an excellent guide and one that is essential for any visit to the region. Central Asia provides a rich source for many vagrants to Europe, and this is a concise guide to the many iconic species and distinctive races that are highly sought after in Europe in late autumn. The appeal of this book extends well beyond its intended market and should be useful for anyone with an interest in Central Asia and its birds."--Peter Kennerley, British Birds "Birds of Central Asia has done more than just plug the geographical gap that previously existed on many birder's bookshelves. It's provided a guide for the region that is comparable in standard to Birds of the Middle East and will prove invaluable to any visiting birder."--Stephen Menzie, BirdGuides "The images are high-quality paintings arranged opposite well-written text descriptions and range maps... Overall, a well-written, well-organized, and very serviceable guide to a region of the world that has lots of interesting avifauna and few avian biologists."--Choice "Here is an excellent, first-ever guide to a little birded part of the planet... The book is a must for anyone who plans to bird this region of the world. The book also would make a nice addition to anyone's library if they collect bird guides to all places on the globe."--FHB, Wildlife Activist