HKBWS WY

[New Book]

Birds of Europe, Russia, China, and Japan: Passerines: Tyrant Flycatchers to Buntings

Written and Illustrated by Norman Arlott

This is the first of two field guides illustrating and describing all of the approximately 1,800 bird species found in the Palearctic--the huge region that includes Europe, Asia north of the Himalayas, and Africa north of the Sahara. This area spans the countries of the former Soviet Union, all of the Russian Arctic, China, Mongolia, North Korea, South Korea, Japan, and the Middle East excluding the Gulf countries. This first volume covers all the passerines (perching birds, from tyrant flycatchers to buntings) or songbirds and will soon be followed by a companion guide to the nonpasserines (divers to woodpeckers). These volumes are the first and only field guides for many parts of the area covered, and mark the first time all of these birds have been included in a single pair of books.

This first volume covers every passerine species and subspecies in the area, in every adult plumage--all illustrated and described by Norman Arlott, a leading bird artist who has many years of field experience with these species.

Color plates of all field-identifiable species, including subspecies and color morphs
Succinct facing-page text concentrates on key field-identification features, including voice
Detailed distribution map for each species
Well-researched and accessible
Handy format-the ideal field guide
Essential for anyone interested in Eurasian birds

Norman Arlott, one of the world's leading bird artists, has illustrated close to 100 books, and his artwork regularly appears in magazines. He has led ornithology tours in East Africa, and has designed special bird stamp issues for many countries, including Jamaica, the Bahamas, Gambia, and Malawi.

More details:
http://press.princeton.edu/titles/8483.html

wgeoff

This is the USA version (although the book does not cover most North American species!).

The European version is 'Birds of the Palearctic: Passerines' by Collins. Hardback and costing 50% more than the USA version. It's been out now about 2 months.

Note the European version does not cover all the birds seen in Hong Kong because the definition of Palearctic does not cover South China, I would say about 95% of HK birds are included (only passerines, as the title says). So, if the USA version is the same as the European (and the number of pages, 240, is the same), it does not fully cover China from the Yangtse south. But most HK passerines are there.

The great thing about it is its size - just larger than a pocket notebook, very light and easy to carry. The negative for this is, the illustrations do not include any juvenile/immature/first winters. Also almost no text descriptions except on voice and behaviour.

I like it because of its size and it also brings together in one book the species of Europe, Russia and North Asia. The maps are quite interesting, not sure if they are entirely accurate. The illustrations seem good although quite small. Also it's not too expensive.  

The non-passerine version is supposed due out later this year.