Hawaii Birds: An Introduction to Familiar Species (State Nature Guides) [Pamphlet]

James Kavanagh (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: August 1, 2003 | Series: State Nature Guides

Laminated for durability, this pocket-sized reference describes more than 140 avian species found in Hawaii and contains a map featuring prominent, state-wide birding hotspots. It is ideal for field use by novices and experts alike.

Editorial Reviews

From the Back Cover

Hawaii Birds, An Introduction to Familiar Species, is a must-have, reference guide for beginners and experts alike. This guide covers birding hotspots and sanctuaries on Kauai, Oahu, Maui and Hawaii. Whether you're on a nature hike or in your own backyard, you'll want to take along a copy of this indispensable guide. The Pocket Naturalist series is an introduction to common plants and animals and natural phenomena. Each pocket-sized, folding guide highlights up to 150 species and most feature a map highlighting prominent sanctuaries and outstanding natural attractions. Each is laminated for durability.

About the Author

James Kavanagh is the author of more than 300 pocket guides on nature, science, travel, and languages. He lives in Phoenix, Arizona.

Product Details

• Pamphlet: 1 pages
• Publisher: Waterford Press; 1st edition (August 1, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1583551972
• ISBN-13: 978-1583551974
• Product Dimensions: 7.6 x 6 x 0.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #123,267 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #40 in Books > Professional & Technical > Professional Science > Biological Sciences > Animals > Birds & Birdwatching > Field Guides
  • #60 in Books > Science & Math > Nature & Ecology > Field Guides

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

23 of 23 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great for travel, March 29, 2004

By 

Halcyon3608 - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Hawaii Birds: An Introduction to Familiar Species (State Nature Guides) (Pamphlet)

I recently went on a trip to Hawaii, and, having an interest in birds, I wanted to be able to take an identification guide with me that wouldn't take up too much room. Being a fold-out, laminated thing made out of card-stock, this fit the bill perfectly. I was able to keep it in my purse and didn't have to worry about it getting crushed or ruined by spills. It does have pictures of all the most common birds, as well as their length and some (but not all, which was a bummer) have images of both sexes which is nice. I was lucky enough to spot zebra and spotted doves, a resplendent male red junglefowl (don't let the name fool you, it looks just like your garden-variety chicken), a red-crested cardinal, red-vented bulbul, house finch, common fairy tern, and several others. I didn't get into the rainforest while I was there, but if I did, this guide would come with me. It is a wonderful buy, and even if you don't agree, it's only six dollars. One thing I would like is that there was a little more information about the birds, but this is after all just a pocket guide.

20 of 21 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Good for quick reference, bad for bird watchers, March 16, 2005

By 

John C. Derrick "JCDerrick" (HI/SC, USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Hawaii Birds: An Introduction to Familiar Species (State Nature Guides) (Pamphlet)

This is a great, small, fold out card for beginning bird enthusiasts who want a quick reference to birds in Hawaii. But if you are a bird watcher, or even close, this little pamphlet might not be for you. There are no details on the birds, their habitats, calls, etc. The pictures are good, but I expected more from this item.

Don't buy this expecting a book; it's just a small pamphlet with photographs. Overall it'll be useful, but it could be better if used as a supplement with a real bird watchers book for Hawaii.

14 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars "Hawaii Birds" Card -- Useful But Sad, May 31, 2004

By A Customer

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Hawaii Birds: An Introduction to Familiar Species (State Nature Guides) (Pamphlet)

This 22"x8.5" "Pocket Naturalist" card folds into six two-sided panels of about 3.5"x8.5". It's copyrighted 2003. Overall, I think it serves the purpose stated in its subtitle: "An Introduction to Familiar Species." The paintings are fairly easy to grasp, both common and scientific names are given, maximum lengths are indicated, and some birds have helpful notes (e.g., for ring-necked duck, "bill has a white ring"). I count 142 different species or subspecies. The last panel has 22 "birding hotspots and sanctuaries" on 4 islands. It's not intended for serious birding, but birdwatchers may wish to carry it to show non-birders what they are supposed to be seeing.

If I could advise the author and Waterford Press, I would suggest: (1) Update the common names and species according to the "Checklist of the Birds of Hawaii - 2002" that is available on the Hawaii Audubon Society Web site. For example: "Warbling Silverbill (Lonchura malabarica) has been changed to African Silverbill (Lonchura cantans)." (2) Add more native Hawaiian names for the birds. (3) Delete birds that are fairly common all over the U.S. (e.g., mallards, rock doves [pigeons], and house sparrows). (4) Add a note or code to indicate which of the remaining species are endangered or threatened.* For example, Hawaiian Goose (Nene), Hawaiian Duck (Koloa), Hawaii Petrel ('Ua'u), Newell's Shearwater ('A'o), Hawaiian Coot ('Alae Ke'oke'o), Black-Necked Stilt (the subspecies listed is the Hawaiian Stilt, A'eo), Peregrine Falcon, Hawaiian Hawk ('Io), Hawaiian Crow ('Alala), 'Oloma'o, Kama'o, Puaiohi, Kauai 'O'o, 'O'u, Palila, Maui Parrotbill, Nukupu'u, 'Akepa, Hawaii Creeper, Oahu Creeper, 'Akohekohe, and Po'ouli are endemic birds that fall into this category. (5) Add the 'Oma'o (Hawai'i Thrush, Myadestes obscurus) and 'Akikiki (Kauai Creeper, Oreomystis bairdi), which are non-threatened endemic* Hawaiian birds found on the Big Island and Kauai respectively. Also add the endemic 'Elepaio (Chasiempis sandwichensis), whose Hawai'i and Kaua'i subspecies are not threatened.

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* BTW, it's sad that so few Hawaiian birds that are endemic (i.e., that evolved and breed in Hawaii but nowhere else) are neither threatened nor endangered. Besides the 'Oma'o, 'Akikiki, and 'Elepaio mentioned above, the ones on the card are: Hawaiian Noddy (Anous minutus melanogenys, native name Noio, a subspecies of Black Noddy); Hawaiian Owl (Pueo); 'Anianiau; various 'Amakihi's; Maui 'Alauahio (Paroreomyza montana newtoni, a.k.a. Maui Creeper); 'Akeke'e; 'I'iwi; and 'Apapane. The other birds neither threatened nor endangered are human-introduced "aliens," indigenous (i.e., arrived and established themselves on their own), or just visitors.