"Birds of the Indian Ocean Islands" is the first comprehensive guide to the bird life of a region that embraces Madagascar, the Seychelles group, and the Comoros and the Mascarenes (comprising Mauritius, Reunion and Rodrigues). Together, these magical islands and the warm waters of the surrounding ocean host a total of 359 regularly encountered species, many of them endemic to the area, and all of them fully described here in clear, concise text. The species entries, which are accompanied by up-to-date distribution maps, highlight identification features, preferred habitats, current status, and vocalization. Each species is beautifully illustrated to show plumage details. A special chapter discusses the practicalities of birding in the region's main locations. The plates, of which there are 71, have been superbly researched and executed by Norman Arlott, Hillary Burn, Peter Hayman and Ian Lewington - among the world's leading bird artists.
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About the Author
Ian Sinclair is renowned for his extensive field experience and expertise in identifying birds. He has authored more than 15 highly successful bird books, among them Field Guide to Birds of Southern Africa (Struik, 1984) and Sasol Birds of Southern Africa (Struik, 3rd edition 2002), and is recognised as one of Africa's foremost bird authors and most experienced birders. Olivier Langrand was born and educated in France and South Africa. He spent 14 years conducting research in Madagascar, has travelled extensively, and is based in Gabon where he works for the WWF. Among his published works is the Guide to the Birds of Madagascar.
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
11 of 11 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
After I received my copy of this book, I was blown away by how good it is!
The illustrations are absolutely beautiful. The warblers in particular are so life-like they are looking straight into your eyes warily, seemingly ready to fly off the pages at any moment!
Editing is well done, with clear range maps and all the info you might need about the birds found on the pages right opposite the colour pages where each species is illustrated.
Before these species accounts, the book has an excellent chapter on birdwatching in the region, with detailed information on the key sites of every single country covered, even accompanied by good maps of every island worth visiting. Such a good combination of a field guide and a site guide is very rare indeed.
All in all: perfect!
Whether you are thinking of visiting several or only one of the the countries covered here, this is THE book to take.
The illustrations are absolutely beautiful. The warblers in particular are so life-like they are looking straight into your eyes warily, seemingly ready to fly off the pages at any moment!
Editing is well done, with clear range maps and all the info you might need about the birds found on the pages right opposite the colour pages where each species is illustrated.
Before these species accounts, the book has an excellent chapter on birdwatching in the region, with detailed information on the key sites of every single country covered, even accompanied by good maps of every island worth visiting. Such a good combination of a field guide and a site guide is very rare indeed.
All in all: perfect!
Whether you are thinking of visiting several or only one of the the countries covered here, this is THE book to take.
18 of 19 people found the following review helpful
By A Customer
Format:Paperback
I bought this book prior to my visit to the Seychelles in October 1998, and found it an excellent field guide - even though the area covered is much larger than the Seychelles. The illustrations seem a little 'basic' at times, but were adequate for field IDs where there were no complications. The narrative, conveniently placed opposite the illustrations, is also adequate for confirming observations. For Madagascar, I would think this to be an excellent guide, although I cannot say this from experience.
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
By David Sewell
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
Going to a new area as a naturalist is always exciting, but there is also the problem that the majority of species will be unfamiliar and a good field guide is therefore essential. My personal preference is for paintings rather than photos, as I find artists can bring out identification details in their plates to a greater extent than is usually achieveable in a photo.
In this guide the plates are paintings, simply and beautifully done. Maps and texts are on the facing page opposite the plates, the ideal arrangement. I was pleased with the illustrations of species I am already familiar with, and excited by the pictures of species that are new to me. The book is small enough, and light enough, to find a space in the luggage of anyone visiting these islands.
In this guide the plates are paintings, simply and beautifully done. Maps and texts are on the facing page opposite the plates, the ideal arrangement. I was pleased with the illustrations of species I am already familiar with, and excited by the pictures of species that are new to me. The book is small enough, and light enough, to find a space in the luggage of anyone visiting these islands.
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4.3 out of 5 stars
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
4.0 out of 5 stars
Essential Madagascar bird guide
I took this guide with me on a 4 week trip to Madagascar and found it a great help in IDing the many birds I saw. It's a good book to use and not too big to carry along. Read more
Published 1 month ago by Wim Jacobs
5.0 out of 5 stars
Bird watching in Madagascar
It proved invaluable on my trip.It was admired by a tour guide so I bought her a copy on return home.
Published 5 months ago by David Sagar
5.0 out of 5 stars
Madagascar birds
I boughy this boook primarily for the birds of madagascar as books just on that area were out of my price range. Read more
Published 7 months ago by hilfarn
4.0 out of 5 stars
Madagascar bird book
The Birds of the Indian Ocean ... is the best l could find for this area and much better than the photographic guide to the Birds of Madagascar.
Published 8 months ago by RAW
1.0 out of 5 stars
Kindle £89 (notl the bird book which is fine)
The Kindle arrived promptly and I took it with me for a lengthy trip in Madagascar. Two other people had Kindles there, but none of us could make mine work. Read more
Published 18 months ago by Jane Fenton
5.0 out of 5 stars
Birds of the Indian Ocean Islands
I borrowed a copy of this book while in Madagascar. I already had the SASOL guide to Birds of Southern Africa but I discovered that it was not really suitable. Read more
Published 18 months ago by MikeS
4.0 out of 5 stars
Excellent
Very happy with this book. It arrived quickly and the contents are you could ask for if you are travelling to this part of the world. Read more
Published on 21 April 2011 by branbud
5.0 out of 5 stars
quality field guide
Great news that this excellent field guide is back in print. High quality illustrations are accompanied by helpful text highlighting the essential field recognition... Read more
Published on 19 Mar 2010 by W. I. Mowat
5.0 out of 5 stars
Birds of the Indian Ocean Islands
Having lived in both Madagascar and Mauritius and also visited The Seychelles and La Reunion , I can thoroughly recommend this guide. Read more
Published on 24 Aug 2007 by Mr. J. B. Sandars
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