A Field Guide to the Birds of West Malaysia and Singapore

by Jeyarajasingam, Allen; Pearson, Alan

• ISBN13: 9780198549635
• ISBN10: 0198549636
• Format: Hardcover
• Copyright: 1999-07-29
• Publisher: Oxford University Press

Summary

This new field guide describes each of the 640 species of birds known tooccur or to have occurred in West Malaysia and in Singapore. The main author isbased in Malaysia, and he and the artist have extensive first-hand fieldexperience of the birds of the region. Every species, including major plumagevariations, is illustrated in 72 stunning full-colour plates, especially paintedfor this volume. The comprehensive text includes data on calls and song, range,distribution, habitat, status, and behaviour. Introductory chapters provideuseful and interesting information on migration, breeding, and conservation. Asection on birdwatching in the region includes information on key birdwatchingsites, and what to look for there. Easy to use for beginners, and comprehensiveenough to satisfy experienced birdwatchers, this is by far the most up-to-dateand authoritative guide to the exciting and abundant avifauna of thisincreasingly popular holiday region.

Author Biography

Allen Jeyarajasingam is a teacher and well- known ornithologist based in Kuala Lumpur. He has previously published a photographic guide to the birds of Malaysia and Singapore, as well as being the author of many numerous articles for other bird magazines and books. A keen birdwatcher for some 30 years, he has extensive first-hand experience of birds and birdwatching throughout the region. Alan Pearson is an ornithological artist with a keen interest in the avifauna of Malaysia, of which he has considerable first-hand experience. He has illustrated six field guides, and contributes regularly to bird magazines.

Table of Contents

List of colour plates	xii
Anatomy and plumage of a bird	xiv
Glossary	xvii
BACKGROUND	1	(72)
Introduction to West Malaysia and Singapore	13	(17)
Conservation	30	(6)
The Avifauna	36	(7)
Migration	43	(7)
Breeding	50	(7)
Birdwatching in West Malaysia and Singapore	57	(16)
FAMILY AND SPECIES DESCRIPTIONS	73	(352)
APPENDICES	425	(13)
Appendix 1: Table of nightbird calls	426	(2)
Appendix 2: Table of barbet calls	428	(1)
Appendix 3: Hills, peaks, hill-stations, and passes cited in the text	429	(2)
Appendix 4: Islets and islands cited in the text	431	(3)
Appendix 5: Globally endangered and potentially endangered birds occurring in West Malaysia and Singapore	434	(2)
Appendix 6: Conservation bodies, ornithological clubs, publications, and museums	436	(2)
Bibliography	438	(7)
Index	445