A Photographic Guide to the Birds of the Indian Ocean Islands: Madagascar, Mauritius, Seychelles, Reunion and the Comoros (Paperback)

by Ian Sinclair (Author), Fanja Andriamialisoa (Author), Olivier Langrand (Author)
Key Phrases: sèche caducifoliée, chant est une sorte, spiny bush forest, Gravelot de Madagascar, Brown Noddy, African Purple Swamphen (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description
This photographic guide depicts a selection of the most commonly encountered and striking bird species of Madagascar, the Seychelles, the Comoros, and the Mascarenes - a region boasting high levels of endemism. The species accounts cover the birds' appearance, basic behaviour, preferred habitats, and geographical distribution. Each species account enjoys a full page which features a color photograph, distribution map, and text in English and French.

About the Author
Fanja Andriamialisoa, originally from Madagascar, is a naturalist who travelled extensively in her own country before establishing herself in the United States. She is an experienced editor and translator of scientific documents. Ian Sinclair is renowned in African birding circles for his field knowledge and expertise in identifying the region's many bird species. His vast experience has been gained in expeditions to every corner of Africa, as well as to the Himalayas, Antarctica and Marion Island. He has authored or co-authored several successful bird books, including the hugely successful Field Guide to Birds of SA and the equally successful Birds of Southern Africa. Olivier Langrand spent 14 years in Madagascar, working in nature conservation. He is now based in Washington DC, working for Conservation International as Senior Vice President: Africa and Madagascar Programme.

Product Details

• Paperback: 128 pages
• Publisher: Struik Publishers (October 26, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 177007175X
• ISBN-13: 978-1770071759
• Product Dimensions: 8.1 x 5.8 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #1,090,602 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

  Popular in these categories: (What's this?)

  #2 in	Books > History > Africa > Comoros
  #5 in	Books > History > Asia > Seychelles
  #11 in	Books > History > Asia > Mauritius

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4.0 out of 5 stars Great photos of uncommonly seen birds, June 26, 2008

By	Soleglad (Arizona, USA) - See all my reviews

Basics: 2006, 1st edition, softcover, 128 pages, 141 color photos, 128 species, no range maps

This photographic guide is a follow-up to the earlier and more extensive field guide of 1998 by the same authors. This smaller book was intended to expose the reader to the more "striking or extraordinary" species of the region. This guide has excellent color photos of 128 species (about one-third of the 360 in the region) that are sampled from each of the key areas covered in this book. Each bird is also given a brief descriptive paragraph along with its range and its general natural history.

For those people interested in seeing quality photos of rarer, isolated birds, this book will be enjoyed. Although it should not be considered a substitute for the field guide, it is a good study aid to many of the unique birds. For a more serious birding trip to the smaller islands around Madagascar, the field guide by the same authors is a highly recommended and necessary alternative.

The text is written in both English and French.

I've listed several related books below...
1) Birds of the Indian Ocean Islands by Sinclair/Langrand
2) The Birds of Seychelles and Outlying Islands by Penny
3) Oiseaux De La Reunion by Barre
4) The Beautiful Birds of Seychelles by Skerrett
5) Birds of the Seychelles by Skerrett/Bullock
6) Birds of Mauritius by Michel
7) Birds of Seychelles by Beamish
8) Les Oiseaux de Comores by Louette
9) Guide to the Birds of Madagascar by Langrand
10) Birds of Madagascar: A Photographic Guide by Morris