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.
Birds of East Asia (Helm Field Guides)
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Book Description
Editorial Reviews
Review
"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) 'It is a magnificent achievement, one that should stand the test of time, and well worth buying by every keen birder.' www.birdguides.com (August 2009)
About the Author
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).
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Best Guide to the Region by Far! Well worth the wait!,
This review is from: Birds of East Asia (Helm Field Guides) (Paperback)
Birds of East Asia is a fantastic field guide. As always, Mark Brazil does not disappoint!
The region covered includes Taiwan, Korea, Japan, Eastern China & Eastern Russia. The guide describes 985 species on 236 full color plates (19 extraliminal are also decribed). Although the geographic range covered and the number of species described are quite large, the guide itself is not too cumbersome to be carried into the field (but it won'f fit in your pocket). Taxonomy follows Howard and Moore. As anyone who has birded in Asia is aware, there is a tendency by taxonomists toward "lumping". To address this issue, the author makes a great effort toward the description and depiction of sub-species, paticularly in cases where an impending split seems likely. The plates are very well done, with the size of each bird sufficient to see distunguishing field marks. For raptors, as well as many shorebirds, waders and waterfowl, there are also paintings of the birds in flight which can be very helpful for identification. In addition, both male, female and juvenile birds are all shown where appropriate. The description, range, habitat, and voice are all indicated on the page facing the plates, along with an accompanying range map, making it much more user friendly than some other guides. In addition, contrary to some guides in the region, the text is entirely in English. On the down side, there is not much description of bird behaviors which can be very useful in distinguishing similar species in the field. I would highly recommend this guide, particularly for Taiwan and China, where I have birded many times. Although I have not personally birded in Japan, Korea or Russia, I have studied other guides for these regions in preparation for forthcoming trips. While I have a highly favorable opinion of the guides put out by the Wild Bird Society of Japan, they are somewhat outdated. All in all, Mark Brazil's guide to the Birds of East Asia is by far the best guide for the region.
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Review of Birds of East Asia by Mark Brazil - Excellent,
This review is from: Birds of East Asia (Helm Field Guides) (Paperback)
Review of Birds of East Asia by Mark Brazil - Excellent
The recently published book, Birds of East Asia by Mark Brazil is superlative in every way! It is an amazing compilation of Mark Brazil's encyclopedic knowledge of the birds of East Asia. This field guide fills a previous void in coverage of important and major birding areas in East Asia, including East China, Taiwan, Korea, East Russia, and Japan. This book details 985 species of birds, including residents, migrants, and vagrants of the region, and includes 236 beautifully illustrated plates. The powerful and majestic Steller's Sea Eagle, spectacularly drawn by Alan Harris, graces the cover of both the USA and European versions. The only difference is that the background of the USA version is black, and the European version is white. However, the cover of the white European version is truly stunning, as it also shows the winter habitat of the Steller's Sea Eagle, as it flies over snow, ice, and sea. The organization and layout of this field guide are excellent. A general section, good for beginning birders, includes the following: introduction, how to use this book, avian topography and terminology, key to families, and references. The specific sections of 985 detailed species and 236 accompanying illustrated plates are superb. The text and range maps of the species are displayed on one page with the artists plate illustrations directly opposite, making the field guide efficient and easy to use for comparison of species, migration patterns, and range of locations. The format of the descriptions of species into status and distribution (SD), habitat and habits (HH), identification (ID), bare parts (BP), voice (Vo), taxonomic name (TN), and Anglican name (AN) help the reader to learn essential information, and to get the "gist' of each bird. A range of other information including courtship displays, unusual and wonderful flight views, diving or dancing views, habitat views, amazing color displays, and other identifying details, are additional helpful features. The drawings of all the artists, including among others Dave Nurney, Carl D'Silva, and Alan Harris, are exquisite, and works of art in their own right. The plate drawings clearly, concisely, and beautifully illustrate details of the birds necessary for proper identification in the field. Most birds are facing the same direction, making it easy to find essential features, and rapidly compare different birds. The labeling of the plate drawings is very clear. For the seabirds, backgrounds of light colored pages aid visualization. The obliqued views of passerines and shorebirds in flight give a clearer view of features for bird identification than some other field guides. The small print allows the guide to contain all essential information in one book, and still be a size and weight manageable in the field. This guide will surely increase the pleasure and enjoyment of all who use it. This book, published in the USA, Canada, and the Philippines by Princeton University Press, is one of the Princeton Field Guides. In UK and Europe this book is published by Christopher Helm, an imprint of A&C Black Publishers, Ltd., and is one of the Helm Field Guides. Both the USA and European versions of the book are available in paperback and the USA version in hardback. This field guide is a great contribution to the field of ornithology. Any person purchasing this book will reap the benefits of the tireless efforts and superb knowledge that Mr. Brazil, a passionate ornithologist, has presented in this complete and magnificent body of work. It is an important reference for Ornithologists, birdwatchers, travelers, those seeking protection of wild birds and their habitats, and those promoting conservation of wildlife, and protection of the environment for this and future generations. This book will sure to be used for years to come, and will become a "classic" among the great birders of the world. This book is sure to attract the attention of admiring birders looking for an excellent field guide of East Asia. Brazil will become a household name amongst travelers and birders seeking the pleasure of birds in East Asia. Birds of East Asia (Helm Field Guides) Birds of East Asia: China, Taiwan, Korea, Japan, and Russia (Princeton Field Guides) D. Ablin M.D.
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