Field Guide to the Birds of East Asia

Description

This is the first single volume guide ever devoted to the eastern Asian avifauna. The eastern Asian region, centring especially on the major islands off the continental coast (including Japan and Taiwan) and the immediately adjacent areas of the Asian continent from Kamchatka in the north and including the Korean Peninsula are an important centre of endemism. Birds endemic to this region include representatives of many of the major families, from the world's largest eagle - Steller's Sea Eagle - to the tiny Formosan Firecrest. The east Asian continental coast and the offshore islands also form one of the world's major international bird migration routes, especially for waterfowl, shorebirds and raptors, while the east Asian continental mainland itself is home to a wide range of species little known to western ornithologists such as Scaly-sided Merganser, Oriental Stork and Mugimaki Flycatcher. The guide features the most up-to-date text available, which, in conjunction with extensive colour plates throughout, facilitates the field identification of all of the species known from the region. Colour distribution maps enhance the text by providing a visual analysis of the summer, winter and migratory ranges of all species.

Mark Brazil is an experienced field ornithologist who has had several previous books published including A Birdwatcher's Guide to Japan, The Birds of Japan (Helm) and The Whooper Swan (Poyser).

"So, what of the illustrations? I think this is the finest collection of plates I have ever seen for Asian birds." Bird Guides (17th April 2009) "It is a magnificent achievement, one that should stand the test of time, and well worth buying by every keen birder." Bird Guides (17th April 2009) "Highly recommended!" Birdwatch (May 2009) " an excellent, in some respects ground-breaking guide to this region" BirdWarching.co.uk (May 2009)