Chamberlain's Birds of the Indian Ocean Islands: Madagascar, Mauritius, Reunion, Rodrigues, Seychelles and the Comores

by Olivier Langrand, Ian Sinclair

Overview

This book describes the bird life of the region embracing Madagascar, the Seychelles group, the Comoros and the Mascarenes (comprising Mauritius, Reunion and Rodrigues) – a region that hosts nearly 400 species, many endemic. All are fully described, giving ID features, preferred habitats, status, calls, distribution maps and full-color illustrations. The book includes useful guide-type maps and practical birding tips.

The 70+ superb plates are by Norman Arlott, Hilary Burn, Peter Hayman and Ian Lewington - among the world’s leading bird artists. Birds of the Indian Ocean Islands is the comprehensive guide to the bird life of a region that embraces Madagascar, the Seychelles group, the Comoros and the Mascarenes (comprising Mauritius, Reunion and Rodrigues). Together, these magical islands and the warm surrounding ocean host a total of nearly 400 regularly encountered species, many of them endemic to the area.

All bird species of the region are fully described, giving identification features, preferred habitats, current status and vocalization. Accurate distribution maps accompany all species. Full-color illustrations show diagnostic plumage features. A special chapter, incorporating useful guide-type maps, discusses the practicalities of birding in the region’s main locations.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781431700851
Publisher:	Penguin Random House South Africa
Publication date:	09/01/2013
Edition description:	New Edition
Pages:	184
Product dimensions:	5.80(w) x 8.20(h) x 0.90(d)

About the Author

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.

Ian Sinclair is recognised as one of Africa’s foremost fi eld birders and has led many expeditions to find and research birds. He is the most published author on the birds of Africa and its adjacent islands and has written over 20 bird books.

Table of Contents

Regional Map 10

Introduction 11

Family Introductions 14

Locating Endemic Birds 24

Madagascar 24

The Comoros 29

Mascarene Islands 31

The Seychelles 33

Species Accounts 36

Illustrated Glossary 246

Glossary of Terms 248

Recent References and Further Reading 249

Useful Addresses 251

Indexes 252

Scientific names 252

French common names 252

English common names 259

Editorial Reviews

"Following in the format of Sasol Birds of Southern Africa, this guide presents all the birds of Madagascar and the other Indian Ocean islands (Seychelles, Reunion, Mauritius and Mascarenes), a great many species of which are endemic to these islands. In field guide form, this text presents concise descriptions of each species, highlighting diagnostic features for ease of identification. Differences between sexes and plumages are discussed as well as the status of the bird, its habitat and call. Distribution maps accompany each entry. The birds are illustrated in full color and where necessary are depicted in all plumages relevant to identification (male, female and immature). In-flight illustrations present the bird from above and below, providing comprehensive coverage of the birds in the field. IAN'S RECOMMENDATION: The text and range maps are opposite the color plates. A useful guide to the region."

The Birdbooker Report - Ian Paulsen

"Following in the format of Sasol Birds of Southern Africa, this guide presents all the birds of Madagascar and the other Indian Ocean islands (Seychelles, Reunion, Mauritius and Mascarenes), a great many species of which are endemic to these islands. In field guide form, this text presents concise descriptions of each species, highlighting diagnostic features for ease of identification. Differences between sexes and plumages are discussed as well as the status of the bird, its habitat and call. Distribution maps accompany each entry. The birds are illustrated in full color and where necessary are depicted in all plumages relevant to identification (male, female and immature). In-flight illustrations present the bird from above and below, providing comprehensive coverage of the birds in the field. IAN'S RECOMMENDATION: The text and range maps are opposite the color plates. A useful guide to the region."

Guardian Newspapers Ian Paulsen