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Overview
This handy photographic guide offers a stunning look at the wildlife of Southeast Asia, which includes Burma, Thailand, Laos, Cambodia, Vietnam, West Malaysia, and Singapore. Accessible text and more than 500 color photographs help readers to learn about and identify the most common species found in the region, particularly the mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, and insects that visitors will most likely encounter. Detailed photos are accompanied on facing pages by succinct species accounts highlighting key identification features, status, and distribution. The book's brief introduction offers readers useful information on major wildlife sites as well as practical advice on making the most of a wildlife-watching trip.
Wildlife of Southeast Asia is the essential resource for visitors and residents interested in the fauna of this fascinating area of the world.
- A photographic guide to the wildlife of Southeast Asia, including Burma, Thailand, Laos, Cambodia, Vietnam, West Malaysia, and Singapore
- More than 500 stunning color photographs
- Accessible species accounts highlight key identification features, status, and distribution
- A brief introduction discusses wildlife locations and practical travel know-how
Product Details
| ISBN-13: | 9781400880720 |
|---|---|
| Publisher: | Princeton University Press |
| Publication date: | 06/07/2016 |
| Series: | Princeton Pocket Guides , #14 |
| Sold by: | Barnes & Noble |
| Format: | eBook |
| Pages: | 256 |
| File size: | 31 MB |
| Note: | This product may take a few minutes to download. |
About the Author
Read an Excerpt
Wildlife of Southeast Asia
By Susan Myers
PRINCETON UNIVERSITY PRESS
Copyright © 2016 Princeton University PressAll rights reserved.
ISBN: 978-1-4008-8072-0
CHAPTER 1
BIRDS ANATIDAE DUCKS, GEESE, AND WATERFOWL
EASTERN SPOT-BILLED DUCKAnas zonorhyncha
A winter visitor to the region, this Mallard-sized duck has a black crown with a prominent black eye stripe contrasting with a creamy-white supercilium, cheeks, and throat. The body is dark grayish-brown with pale edges to the feathers. The bill is black with a prominent orange tip. The sexes are alike. Inhabits freshwater lakes and marshes and can be found in Southeast Asia during the northern winter. The similar Indian Spot-billed Duck is lighter in color, and the bill has a red base. Length: 50–60 cm
PHASIANIDAE PHEASANTS, GROUSE, AND ALLIES
RED JUNGLEFOWLGallus gallus
Commonly found throughout Southeast Asia, where it inhabits open forests, scrubby habitat, and grasslands, this medium-sized pheasant is the ancestor of the domestic chicken. The unmistakable male looks very similar to the familiar domestic rooster. In breeding plumage it is quite spectacular, with a distinctive bright red comb, golden plumage on the hackles, and a glossy, green arched tail. In the non-breeding phase the hackles disappear and the comb becomes smaller. The female, on the other hand, is quite dissimilar to the domestic hen — smaller than the male, with drab brown, finely patterned plumage and a short, laterally compressed tail. Usually seen in groups made up of a single dominant male and 2–5 females; often unaccompanied males are found nearby. The call of the male bird will also be familiar to most; it is almost identical to the crow of the domestic rooster, differing only in the last note being cut short. Resident. Length: M 70 cm, F 43 cm
SILVER PHEASANTLophura nycthemera
A large, very beautiful pheasant; white plumage on the upperparts and a tail decorated with black lines and markings give the male a striking silvery appearance; the underparts and crest are glossy dark blue; the facial skin is bright red, as are the legs; the spectacular silvery-white tail is longer than the body and somewhat arched. The female is duller, with brownish upperparts, pale underparts with black markings, and a duller red face. Found from Burma through much of Thailand to Vietnam in healthy evergreen and deciduous forests. This generally secretive bird can be quite confiding in areas where it isn't harassed. Most often seen crossing narrow roads or feeding on the ground on roadside edges. As with many pheasants, it is most often found in groups of a single adult male and a harem of 3–5 females. Feeds on the ground, turning over leaf litter in search of invertebrates, seeds, grain, and fallen fruits. Resident. Length: M 120 cm, F 70 cm
BIRDS PHASIANIDAE PHEASANTS, GROUSE, AND ALLIES
CRESTED FIREBACKLophura ignita
A locally common species, found from the Malay Peninsula to Borneo and Sumatra; an inhabitant of lowland evergreen forests. The male is mostly glossy blue-black with white streaks on the underparts, bright blue facial skin, red legs, and a spectacular golden-red back often hidden by the wings. The other part of the bird's name derives from the floppy, tufted upright crest. The female has chestnut plumage with a slightly reduced crest, also with white streaks on the underparts, and a smaller, paler-blue facial patch. Most often found in harems with a dominant male and 3–5 females, sometimes with subadult males. Feeds on invertebrates, fruits, and seeds on the forest floor. Resident. Length: M 70 cm, F 57 cm
SIAMESE FIREBACKLophura diardi
Found from Thailand throughout Cambodia, Laos, and Vietnam, this spectacular pheasant is an inhabitant of forests up to 800 meters. The male is unmistakable with smoky-gray upperparts, dark glossy blue underparts, an arched glossy dark-green tail, striking extensive red facial skin, and a floppy tufted crest of dark-blue feathers. The female is inconspicuous, with dark-brown wings, a tail with white barring, chestnut underparts, and a grayish head. The laterally compressed tail is much shorter than the male's; the facial skin is less extensive and duller red. Usually a shy bird of the forest floor, but is locally common; most commonly seen on quiet, narrow roads cut through forest. Usually found in harems with an adult male and 3–5 females; sometimes there may be more than one male. An endemic resident. Length: M 75 cm, F 58 cm
GREAT ARGUSArgusianus argus
One of the world's most spectacular birds, found in broad-leaved evergreen forests from the lowlands to the foothills in the Malay Peninsula and Borneo and Sumatra. The male has the second-longest tail of any bird (after the rarely seen Crested Argus); the plumage is generally brown with fine whitish vermiculations and spots on the upperparts. The central feathers of the laterally compressed tail are arched and extend beyond the exceptionally long secondary feathers. There is a short, spiky crest on the rear of the crown. The female is similar, with a much shorter tail and duller blue facial skin. The male makes a simple dancing ground in small clearings in thick forests, where he performs an elaborate display, rarely observed, in which he raises and fans the secondary feathers to the female. Feeds quietly on the forest floor in harems, usually with a single dominant male. Resident. Length: M 200 cm, F 75 cm
PODICIPEDIDAE GREBES
LITTLE GREBETachybaptus ruficollis
A locally common bird throughout Southeast Asia, an inhabitant of freshwater ponds, lakes, and wetlands. The sexes are similar. The bird is small and squat, with darkish-brown upperparts and paler buffish-brown underparts. The eyes are dark; the narrow, pointed bill is pale pinkish to yellow. In breeding plumage the eyes are yellow, and the bill is dark with a prominent yellow oval spot on the gape; the plumage of the face and neck takes on a deep reddish hue. Swims with rapid movements of the lobed feet, diving frequently. Feeds on small fish and invertebrates. Resident. Length: 27 cm
BIRDS CICONIIDAE STORKS
ASIAN OPENBILLAnastomus oscitans
A relatively small stork. The non-breeding adult has dull-grayish plumage with a black tail and primaries, and a very distinctive bill with a large gap in the middle, rather like the shape of a nutcracker. In breeding plumage the plumage is much whiter, and the legs are bright red. The sexes are alike. A scarce to locally common resident in central Thailand, Cambodia, and southern Vietnam; a non-breeding visitor to Burma, most of Thailand, and southern Laos. This stork forms large colonies in marshes, lakes, paddy fields, and parks, where it is often very noisy and conspicuous. A resident and winter visitor. Length: 75 cm
WOOLLY-NECKED STORKCiconia episcopus
A distinctive, large stork with all-dark glossy plumage, except for a bright white neck with woolly-like plumage. The legs are bright red; the bill and face are dark. In flight the underwings are all black. The sexes are alike. This stork does not form large colonies and is most often seen in pairs. It inhabits wetlands such as rivers, lakes, rice paddies, forest streams, and pools. Rare to locally common in Burma, western and southern Thailand, Cambodia, southern Laos, and southern and central Vietnam. Resident. Length: 80–90 cm
LESSER ADJUTANTLeptoptilos javanicus
This large stork is immediately recognizable with its heavy bill, bald head, and bare neck. The sexes are similar. In non-breeding plumage the head and face are pale pink, while the skin of the neck is yellow-orange. The upperparts are glossy black, the underparts white. In flight the broad wings, with widely splayed primaries, are black on the underwing, interrupted by a white axillary spur. The bill is a dirty yellow; the legs are gray. In the breeding season the facial skin turns a bright red, and the skin of the neck turns bright yellow; white scalloping appears on the tertial feathers. The juvenile of this species is duller on the face, neck, and upperparts, with woolly feathers on the neck. Inhabits mangroves, swamps, and riverine forests, often in small groups, where it forages on invertebrates. Often seen soaring on thermals. Found throughout Southeast Asia, but nowhere common. Resident. Length: 110–120 cm
PAINTED STORKMycteria leucocephala
Rare to locally common in central Thailand and Cambodia. A winter visitor to south and central Burma, south Thailand, Vietnam, and Laos. A large, upright bird with a long neck and legs and a long, straight bill. The sexes are similar. The plumage is a dirty white, with black-and-white markings on the wings, and black primaries. One of the most striking features of this distinctive bird is the pink wash on the ends of the wing feathers. The bill is long and yellow, with a slight droop at the tip; the face is bare, with orange-red skin, and the legs are pinkish-red. In breeding plumage the bare parts all become more brightly colored. The juvenile bird is duller brownish-gray, with a dull-yellowish bill and face. The legs are dull pale pink. Usually found in flocks near swamps, lakes, riverine forests, and paddy fields. A resident and winter visitor. Length: 100 cm
BIRDS FREGATIDAE FRIGATEBIRDS
LESSER FRIGATEBIRDFregata ariel
This very distinctive bird has all-black plumage with a glossy sheen on the upperparts in all forms and a deeply forked tail. The male is all black, with white patches on the underwings and a bright red gular pouch. The long, hooked bill is dark gray, and the legs are dull pink. The female has a white collar (giving it a hooded appearance) extending to a white upper breast and underwing patches. The juvenile bird has a rusty brown head and neck and a white patch on the center of the breast and underwings. This bird is found on oceans and inshore waters, where it feeds by pursuing other birds until they drop or regurgitate their prey, a feeding technique known as kleptoparasitism. Often found in large flocks; can be seen soaring high on powerful, broad wings. A common winter visitor from peninsular Thailand south to Singapore. Length: 70–80 cm
PHALACROCORACIDAE CORMORANTS AND SHAGS
INDIAN CORMORANTPhalacrocorax fuscicollis
A medium-sized cormorant, all black with a long, slender bill and whitish throat and pale face. The bill is black with a yellow base, and the eye is a deep blue. In the breeding season the plumage is blacker, with a white tuft behind the eye. The sexes are similar. This species inhabits any type of wetland and feeds on fish by diving; it swims partially submerged. Often stands with wings outstretched to dry after diving. The similar Little Cormorant is smaller, with a shorter, stubbier bill and shorter neck in flight. Indian Cormorant is a locally common resident in south Burma, central and southeast Thailand, Cambodia, and southern Vietnam. Length: 60–70 cm
ANHINGIDAE ANHINGAS
ORIENTAL DARTERAnhinga melanogaster
The long, snake-like neck of this diving waterbird makes it instantly recognizable. It is similar to cormorants in some respects but has a much longer neck with a distinct kink, a dagger-like bill, and a long body and tail. In non-breeding plumage the sexes are alike, with brown head, neck, and tail, pale throat, and glossy black upperparts with whitish streaks on the wings. In the breeding season the male has a rufous fore neck, with black spots on the white throat and a strongly demarcated white or buff stripe from the gape along the sides of the head and neck. The female is similar, but lacks the black spots on the throat. In all seasons the bill and facial skin are yellow. Darters are found in undisturbed oxbow lakes, watercourses, wetlands, and mangroves; they can be seen fishing with only the neck above water or perched on conspicuous branches, often with wings spread to dry. An increasingly scarce resident throughout. Length: 85–95 cm
BIRDS PELECANIDAE PELICANS
SPOT-BILLED PELICANPelecanus philippensis
This unmistakable large wetland bird with all-white plumage and a huge bill with a large extendable pouch can be seen in lakes, large rivers, and estuaries in Cambodia and southern Vietnam, where it is a locally common resident, as well as parts of Burma, Thailand, Laos, and the rest of Vietnam, where it is an uncommon winter visitor. The all-white plumage has a pinkish wash in the breeding season. The long, straight bill is yellowish-pink, with dark spots on the upper mandible. The pouch is pinkish, with darker mottling. The sexes are alike. The juvenile is similar to the adult, but browner on the head and upperparts. Length: 130–140 cm
ARDEIDAE HERONS, EGRETS, AND BITTERNS
YELLOW BITTERNIxobrychus sinensis
A small, buffy-yellow bittern with a black crown and olive-brown upperparts. The underparts are pale yellowish-brown, with a pale gular stripe. In flight, the black flight feathers and tail contrast with lighter-colored back and wing coverts. The female is much more streaked than the male, with a browner crown, similar to the juvenile, which is even more heavily streaked. This shy bird is to be found skulking in reed beds, paddy fields, and thickly vegetated wetland edges. Most often seen when it takes short flights low over vegetation, only to disappear again quickly. Found throughout Southeast Asia, it is an uncommon resident and non-breeding winter visitor. Length: 30–40 cm
GRAY HERONArdea cinerea
A striking, large, mainly gray heron with a black crown, a long, pendant crest, and a white face and neck. The fore neck is patterned with black streaks. In non-breeding plumage the bill and legs are yellowish. During the breeding season the bill and legs of adults brighten to orange. The sexes are similar. The juvenile bird has a grayer head and lacks the crest. Found in a variety of wetland habitats, from estuaries and lakes to paddy fields, where it slowly stalks small fish and other vertebrates. Usually flies low with slow, deliberate wing beats. An uncommon and local resident and winter visitor throughout Southeast Asia. Length: 90–98 cm
PURPLE HERONArdea purpurea
A large, long-necked heron with distinctive purple-brown plumage, and a slender rufous neck with black stripes and spots. The bill and legs are yellowish. In flight, the neck is retracted, and the underwings are rufous. The sexes are alike. The juvenile bird is all rufous-brown with dark spots and streaks. It favors all wetland habitats, where it feeds on small fish and other vertebrates. A local resident throughout Southeast Asia. Length: 78–90 cm
BIRDS ARDEIDAE HERONS, EGRETS, AND BITTERNS
GREAT EGRETArdea alba
One of the largest herons in the region; a typical egret with all-white plumage, a dagger-like yellow bill, and long black legs. In breeding plumage the legs are pinkish-red, while the bill turns black; the facial skin turns a striking greenish-blue, and long black plumes develop. The sexes are alike. This bird can be seen in all types of wetland habitats, including estuaries, mudflats, swamps, rivers, and rice paddies. The flight is slow and heavy; often utters a gutteral gwaa gwaa in flight. An uncommon resident and common winter visitor throughout the region. Length: 80–105 cm
LITTLE EGRETEgretta garzetta
A small, all-white heron with a long, slender, black bill and black legs with distinctive yellow feet. During the breeding season the adults develop long white nape plumes and long filamentous plumes on the back and breast; the feet and facial skin take on an orange color. The sexes are alike. The juvenile is similar to the adult, but with duller bill and legs. An active feeder in shallow wetlands, it is often seen with other egrets and herons. Generally silent, but forms large, noisy breeding colonies. A locally common to uncommon resident and winter visitor throughout Southeast Asia. Length: 55–65 cm
(Continues...)
Excerpted from Wildlife of Southeast Asia by Susan Myers. Copyright © 2016 Princeton University Press. Excerpted by permission of PRINCETON UNIVERSITY PRESS.
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Table of Contents
Acknowledgments 6Introduction 6
Geographic Coverage 6
Measurements 6
Basic Tips for Visitors 8
Guide to the Best Spots for Viewing Wildlife in Southeast Asia 10
Species Accounts
Birds 26
Mammals 174
Reptiles 210
Frogs 226
Invertebrates 230
References 244
Photo Credits 244
Index 249
What People are Saying About This
"Wildlife of Southeast Asia is a valuable and worthwhile addition to the field guide literature. The text conveys just the right amount of information for nonexperts unfamiliar with the region's fauna and the photographs will serve users well."—Robert Hutchinson, company director of Birdtour Asia"In this logical and straightforward guide, Myers displays an excellent knowledge of the fauna of Southeast Asia. The well-chosen photos will help readers with quick identifications in the field."—Con Foley, wildlife photographer