A Field Guide to the Birds of Borneo, Sumatra, Java, and Bali: The Greater Sunda Islands (Paperback)

~ John MacKinnon (Author), Karen Phillipps (Author) "Abbreviations used on the plates..." (more)
Key Phrases: grey wader, other munias, locally common bird, Malay Peninsula, Greater Sundas, New Guinea (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Review

"The 800+ illustrations by Karen Phillipps, presented in 99 color plates, are nicely done and an essential compliment to the text. . . . a major contribution to bird study . . . and an essential reference for ornithologists and birders visiting or residing in those islands. Most highly recommended." --Wildlife Activist
"The most complete and comprehensive field guide for the region of the Greater Sundra islands is more than just a field guide. The heart of the book is a section of 88 very good color plates. No doubt, this top field guide will be wanted by any birder going to the Greater Sundra islands, as well as by many ornithologists as a general reference. I encourage everyone to have a copy." --Josef Kren, University of Nebraska, Lincoln, in Zpravy Mos
"Will make birding the region a pleasure. The authors have made the extra effort to produce a guide book that has virtually every type of information that a visiting birder might desire. Each species account is compact but informative. The various regional maps are excellent. . . . the only field guide available for the region. This book, I believe, will supersede all that is in print, and will be a must for birders and naturalists visiting one or more of the islands." --Audubon Naturalist News
"This landmark book deserves a place in the libraries of both birders and ornithologists. ...It adequately fills a previously unoccupied niche in avian literature. Even those who have no plans to visit the Greater Sundas will profit from perusing its pages for what they reveal about avian bigeography." -- The Auk
"No doubt, this top field guide will be wanted by any birder going to the Greater Sunda islands as well as by many ornithologists as a general reference. I encourage everyone to have a copy."--Josef Kren

Product Description

The islands of Borneo, Sumatra, Java, and Bali are ecologically one of the richest, most biologically complex areas in the world, sought out by thousands of knowledgeable nature lovers every year for the spectacular variety of wildlife and beautiful vistas. This book provides the first complete identification guides to the birds of this teeming tropical paradise. It gives descriptions of 820 regional species, illustrated in 88 specially commissioned color plates accompanied by notes detailing distinctive features and habitats. Entries cover nomenclature, plumage, markings, voice, global range, distribution and regional status, habits, and diet. The main text gives practical information on where to find many exotic species, citing major birdwatching locations. Introductory chapters discuss habitats, climate, land-use, and conservation concerns. Professional ornithologists and amateur bird watchers alike will find this the indispensable bird guide for eastern Malaysia and western Indonesia for many years to come. It is also an unrivalled source of information for casual travellers and ecotourists.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 692 pages
• Publisher: Oxford University Press, USA (August 26, 1993)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0198540345
• ISBN-13: 978-0198540342
• Product Dimensions: 7.7 x 5.5 x 1.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 15.2 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #217,216 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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

  #1 in	Books > Travel > Asia > Indonesia > Java
  #1 in	Books > Travel > Asia > Indonesia > Sumatra
  #3 in	Books > Travel > Asia > Indonesia > Borneo

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Get it re-bound, November 28, 2001

By A Customer

This was the book that everyone who seemed to be serious used in Borneo, but if you are going to be out in the bush for more than a few days and make frequent use of field guides, consider having it re-bound before you leave -- many people I passed along the way were finding that the plate pages were starting to fall out.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A must-have, April 18, 2003

By	Debby Ng (Singapore) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Any serious birder to the listed regions of this book would buy this book.

It is the best guide of the region so far with excellent plates and useful details. What I find especially useful, particularly for the raptors, is that they show illustrations of the birds in flight.

The drawings appear consistent and the bird's information at the back of the book is easy to access.

The birds are categorised according to their family which definately makes for faster checks and identification, which I find important when in the field.

The spine of the book though is a little week and you might want to have it rebound before it falls apart - especially with all the browsing that is to be.

8 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A good and comprehensive guide to the region., October 10, 2000

By	Wayne Hsu (Taipei, Taiwan) - See all my reviews

Many newer guides have been published about birds of this region, but this book still deserves its place on the bookshelf of anyone interested in birds of South-east Asia. Illustrations are good, and descriptions are detailed and mostly accurate. A bit bulky to carry in the field, but not a problem if you bring it in a backpack. The situation with forest fires in South-east Asia (especially Indonesia) is growing worse each year, so get out there and see some of these extraordinary birds while you still can!