Birds of Somalia [Hardcover]

Dr. J. S. Ash (Author), J. E. Miskell (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: June 16, 1998

This avifauna of Somalia, based on the authors` observations over many years in all regions of the country, provides information on 650 recorded species, including seven endemic species. An account of the preferred habitat, relative abundance, migration, breeding season, and clutch size accompanies each of the book`s 650 distribution maps, and additional chapters discuss such topics as the soils and vegetation, geology, and history of ornithology in Somalia.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 336 pages
• Publisher: Yale University Press (June 16, 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0300074565
• ISBN-13: 978-0300074567
• Product Dimensions: 10 x 7.6 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.5 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 3.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #4,882,001 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Solid reference to status & distributions; not an ID guide, September 5, 2008

By 

Soleglad (Arizona, USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Birds of Somalia (Hardcover)

Basics: 1998, hardcover, 336 pages, 4 color plates of 26 species, 654 species discussed, distribution maps

This is a good reference that documents this infrequently visited east-African country. The authors have included all of Somalia's birds, giving a brief synopsis of the 654 species while also providing an atlas-type map for each bird.

The primary mission of this book is to offer a documented source on the life histories of these birds. Each bird is given one short to medium-length paragraph that focuses on three things: status, distribution, and breeding. This information helps give a general overview for those birders with an interest in more data-oriented knowledge.

Each bird's approximate distribution is depicted in a map of Somalia. In the fashion of a breeding atlas, a solid or an open dot marks a site record of the bird as documented by the authors or by other researchers, respectively.

The first 78 pages of the book contain a great and in-depth overview of the country's vegetation, followed with history, geology, and climate of Somalia. A good introduction is also given for the migration and breeding of the birds.

This book is a reference to status and distribution. It is not an identification guide; thus, no descriptions are given for any of the birds. As a small consolation, there are four good color plates towards the beginning of the book that show 26 species.

This is an academic focused book, a reference on ornithological data. If you're looking for an identification guide to the species of Somalia, there are several excellent books for this (e.g., Zimmerman et al., Stevenson/Fanshawe, or Sinclair/Ryan).

I've listed several related books below...
1) Birds of Somalia: Their Habitat, Status and Distribution, 1983 by Ash/Miskell
2) Birds of Africa South of the Sahara by Sinclair/Ryan
3) Birds of Kenya and Northern Tanzania by Zimmerman et al.
4) The Birds of East Africa by Stevenson/Fanshawe
5) A Photographic Guide to Birds of East Africa by Richards
6) Common Birds of East Africa by Withers
7) Birds of East Africa by Williams/Arlott
8) The Birds of British Somaliland and the Gulf of Aden by Archer/Godman
9) African Handbook of Birds: Series 1 Volumes 1 & 2 by Mackworth-Praed

0 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Enriching book, January 26, 2001

By 

Khalid (Sweden) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Birds of Somalia (Hardcover)

Despite being Somali bron in Somalia, i didnt knew nothing about the geology and the vegetation of Somaliland. not to mention the different birds. I find this book very enriching for as well as students as for the ordinary people.