This is a major new guide covering the birds of all western African countries, from Senegal and southern Mauritania east to Chad and the Central African Republic and south to Congo. No other field guide covers this region exclusively and in such comprehensive depth.
A Guide to the Birds of Western Africa describes 1,285 species, representing the entire avifauna of the region. There are 147 original color plates, all painted by the same leading illustrator, comprising over 3,000 figures and depicting almost all the species described. The detailed species accounts cover all identification criteria, including differences between similar species, voice, habits, habitat, breeding, distribution, and status. The text also features color distribution maps for over 1,100 species, and numerous line drawings illustrate particular aspects of behavior and identification.
Both authors have gained extensive field experience over many years in western Africa. Their knowledge and expertise shines through in this outstanding guide to one of the world's most exciting birding regions.
Comprehensive coverage of all 1,285 species found in the region
23 separate countries and territories covered
Clear and authoritative text detailing differences between similar species, voice, habits, habitat, breeding, distribution, and status
Over 3,000 original color illustrations, depicting all key plumages
Concise plate captions summarizing key identification pointers
Numerous line drawings illustrating specific aspects of identification and behavior
More than 1,100 color distribution maps
Review:
... This is surely the definitive handbook and guide to identification of Western Africa's birds, and is highly recommended for everyone from professional ornithologists to birders and armchair naturalists. (Wildlife Activist)
... This is now the must-have reference for anyone interested in the birds of western Africa. . . . [It] is indispensable to any bird watcher visiting in the region. Eirik A. T. Blom(Bird Watcher's Digest)
... Invaluable for serious birders and scientists working in or visiting the area. It would also make an excellent addition to a collection of field guides for home or office use. (Condor)
... Anyone with an interest in West African birds will want to own this book. We have been waiting for some considerable time for someone to produce a modern guide to West African birds, so Nik Borrow and Ron Demey are to be congratulated for completing the task admirably. . . . [A] splendid achievement. Stephen Rumsey(British Birds)
Table of contents:
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS 8
INTRODUCTION 9
Area covered 9
Nomenclature 9
The Species Accounts 10
The Maps 13
The Plates 14
The Plate Captions 14
Authors' note 14
CLIMATE, TOPOGRAPHY AND MAIN HABITATS 15
RESTRICTED-RANGE SPECIES AND ENDEMIC BIRD AREAS 19
TAXONOMY: SOME DEFINITIONS 21
ORGANISATIONS 22
BIRD TOPOGRAPHY 23
GLOSSARY 25
ABBREVIATIONS 29
COLOUR PLATES 1-147 32
SPECIES ACCOUNTS 327
Ostrich--Struthionidae 327
Albatrosses--Diomedeidae 327
Petrels and Shearwaters--Procellariidae 327
Storm-petrels--Hydrobatidae 331
Penguins--Spheniscidae 333
Grebes--Podicipedidae 333
Tropicbirds--Phaethontidae 334
Gannets and Boobies--Sulidae 335
Cormorants and Shags--Phalacrocoracidae 336
Darters--Anhingidae 337
Pelicans--Pelecanidae 338
Frigatebirds--Fregatidae 339
Herons, Egrets and Bitterns--Ardeidae 339
Hamerkop--Scopidae 347
Storks--Ciconiidae 348
Shoebill--Balaenicipitidae 350
Ibises and Spoonbills--Threskiornithidae 351
Flamingos--Phoenicopteridae 354
Ducks and Geese--Anatidae 355
Osprey--Pandionidae 366
Vultures, Eagles and Hawks--Accipitridae 367
Secretary Bird--Sagittariidae 393
Falcons--Falconidae 393
Quails, Partridges and Francolins--Phasianidae 399
Guineafowl--Numididae 406
Buttonquails--Turnicidae 408
Rails, Flufftails, Crakes and Gallinules--Rallidae 409
Cranes--Gruidae 416
Finfoots--Heliornithidae 418
Bustards--Otididae 418
Jacanas--Jacanidae 421
Painted-snipes--Rostratulidae 422
Oystercatchers--Haematopodidae 423
Avocets and Stilts--Recurvirostridae 423
Thick-knees--Burhinidae 424
Coursers and Pratincoles--Glareolidae 426
Plovers and Lapwings--Charadriidae 429
Sandpipers and allies--Scolopacidae 437
Skuas--Stercorariidae 450
Gulls--Laridae 453
Terns--Sternidae 459
Skimmers--Rynchopidae 466
Auks--Alcidae 466
Sandgrouse--Pteroclidae 467
Pigeons and Doves--Columbidae 469
Parrots and Lovebirds--Psittacidae 478
Turacos--Musophagidae 481
Cuckoos and Coucals--Cuculidae 555
Barn and Grass Owls--Tytonidae 584
Typical Owls--Strigidae 586
Nightjars--Caprimulgidae 616
Swifts--Apodidae 635
Mousebirds--Coliidae 645
Trogons--Trogonidae 645
Kingfishers--Alcedinidae 656
Bee-eaters--Meropidae 676
Rollers--Coraciidae 695
Wood-hoopoes--Phoeniculidae 705
Hoopoes--Upupidae 705
Hornbills--Bucerotidae 717
Barbets--Capitonidae 737
Honeyguides--Indicatoridae 755
Woodpeckers and allies--Pittdae 767
Broadbills--Eurylaimidae 785
Pittas--Pittidae 785
Larks--Alaudidae 798
Swallows and Martins--Hirundinidae 818
Pipits and Wagtails--Motacillidae 848
Cuckoo-shrikes--Campephagidae 865
Bulbuls--Pycnonotidae 879
Thrushes, Chats and allies--Turdidae 919
Warblers--Sylviidae 97-107 618
Flycatchers--Muscicapidae 108-109 656
Monarchs--Monarchidae 110 665
Batises, Wattle-eyes and allies--Platysteiridae 669
Picathartes--Picathartidae 114
Babblers--Timaliidae 113
Tits--Paridae 115
Penduline Tits--Remizidae 115
Spotted Creeper--Salpornithidae 115
Sunbirds--Nectariniidae 116
White-eyes--Zosteropidae 115
True Shrikes--Laniidae 119
Bush-shrikes--Malaconotidae 121
Helmet-shrikes--Prionopidae 120
Orioles--Oriolidae 124
Drongos--Dicruridae 125
Crows--Corvidae 125
Starlings--Sturnidae 126
Oxpeckers--Buphagidae 127
Sparrows--Passeridae 128
Weavers--Ploceidae 128
Estrildid Finches--Estrildidae 136
Indigobirds and Whydahs--Viduidae 140
True Finches--Fringillidae 141
Buntings--Emberizidae 142
Island Forms
Vagrants and localised species
REFERENCES 781
INDEX OF SCIENTIFIC NAMES 801
INDEX OF FRENCH NAMES 815
INDEX OF ENGLISH NAMES 824
A Guide to the Birds of Western Africa describes 1,285 species, representing the entire avifauna of the region. There are 147 original color plates, all painted by the same leading illustrator, comprising over 3,000 figures and depicting almost all the species described. The detailed species accounts cover all identification criteria, including differences between similar species, voice, habits, habitat, breeding, distribution, and status. The text also features color distribution maps for over 1,100 species, and numerous line drawings illustrate particular aspects of behavior and identification.
Both authors have gained extensive field experience over many years in western Africa. Their knowledge and expertise shines through in this outstanding guide to one of the world's most exciting birding regions.
Comprehensive coverage of all 1,285 species found in the region
23 separate countries and territories covered
Clear and authoritative text detailing differences between similar species, voice, habits, habitat, breeding, distribution, and status
Over 3,000 original color illustrations, depicting all key plumages
Concise plate captions summarizing key identification pointers
Numerous line drawings illustrating specific aspects of identification and behavior
More than 1,100 color distribution maps
Review:
... This is surely the definitive handbook and guide to identification of Western Africa's birds, and is highly recommended for everyone from professional ornithologists to birders and armchair naturalists. (Wildlife Activist)
... This is now the must-have reference for anyone interested in the birds of western Africa. . . . [It] is indispensable to any bird watcher visiting in the region. Eirik A. T. Blom(Bird Watcher's Digest)
... Invaluable for serious birders and scientists working in or visiting the area. It would also make an excellent addition to a collection of field guides for home or office use. (Condor)
... Anyone with an interest in West African birds will want to own this book. We have been waiting for some considerable time for someone to produce a modern guide to West African birds, so Nik Borrow and Ron Demey are to be congratulated for completing the task admirably. . . . [A] splendid achievement. Stephen Rumsey(British Birds)
Table of contents:
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS 8
INTRODUCTION 9
Area covered 9
Nomenclature 9
The Species Accounts 10
The Maps 13
The Plates 14
The Plate Captions 14
Authors' note 14
CLIMATE, TOPOGRAPHY AND MAIN HABITATS 15
RESTRICTED-RANGE SPECIES AND ENDEMIC BIRD AREAS 19
TAXONOMY: SOME DEFINITIONS 21
ORGANISATIONS 22
BIRD TOPOGRAPHY 23
GLOSSARY 25
ABBREVIATIONS 29
COLOUR PLATES 1-147 32
SPECIES ACCOUNTS 327
Ostrich--Struthionidae 327
Albatrosses--Diomedeidae 327
Petrels and Shearwaters--Procellariidae 327
Storm-petrels--Hydrobatidae 331
Penguins--Spheniscidae 333
Grebes--Podicipedidae 333
Tropicbirds--Phaethontidae 334
Gannets and Boobies--Sulidae 335
Cormorants and Shags--Phalacrocoracidae 336
Darters--Anhingidae 337
Pelicans--Pelecanidae 338
Frigatebirds--Fregatidae 339
Herons, Egrets and Bitterns--Ardeidae 339
Hamerkop--Scopidae 347
Storks--Ciconiidae 348
Shoebill--Balaenicipitidae 350
Ibises and Spoonbills--Threskiornithidae 351
Flamingos--Phoenicopteridae 354
Ducks and Geese--Anatidae 355
Osprey--Pandionidae 366
Vultures, Eagles and Hawks--Accipitridae 367
Secretary Bird--Sagittariidae 393
Falcons--Falconidae 393
Quails, Partridges and Francolins--Phasianidae 399
Guineafowl--Numididae 406
Buttonquails--Turnicidae 408
Rails, Flufftails, Crakes and Gallinules--Rallidae 409
Cranes--Gruidae 416
Finfoots--Heliornithidae 418
Bustards--Otididae 418
Jacanas--Jacanidae 421
Painted-snipes--Rostratulidae 422
Oystercatchers--Haematopodidae 423
Avocets and Stilts--Recurvirostridae 423
Thick-knees--Burhinidae 424
Coursers and Pratincoles--Glareolidae 426
Plovers and Lapwings--Charadriidae 429
Sandpipers and allies--Scolopacidae 437
Skuas--Stercorariidae 450
Gulls--Laridae 453
Terns--Sternidae 459
Skimmers--Rynchopidae 466
Auks--Alcidae 466
Sandgrouse--Pteroclidae 467
Pigeons and Doves--Columbidae 469
Parrots and Lovebirds--Psittacidae 478
Turacos--Musophagidae 481
Cuckoos and Coucals--Cuculidae 555
Barn and Grass Owls--Tytonidae 584
Typical Owls--Strigidae 586
Nightjars--Caprimulgidae 616
Swifts--Apodidae 635
Mousebirds--Coliidae 645
Trogons--Trogonidae 645
Kingfishers--Alcedinidae 656
Bee-eaters--Meropidae 676
Rollers--Coraciidae 695
Wood-hoopoes--Phoeniculidae 705
Hoopoes--Upupidae 705
Hornbills--Bucerotidae 717
Barbets--Capitonidae 737
Honeyguides--Indicatoridae 755
Woodpeckers and allies--Pittdae 767
Broadbills--Eurylaimidae 785
Pittas--Pittidae 785
Larks--Alaudidae 798
Swallows and Martins--Hirundinidae 818
Pipits and Wagtails--Motacillidae 848
Cuckoo-shrikes--Campephagidae 865
Bulbuls--Pycnonotidae 879
Thrushes, Chats and allies--Turdidae 919
Warblers--Sylviidae 97-107 618
Flycatchers--Muscicapidae 108-109 656
Monarchs--Monarchidae 110 665
Batises, Wattle-eyes and allies--Platysteiridae 669
Picathartes--Picathartidae 114
Babblers--Timaliidae 113
Tits--Paridae 115
Penduline Tits--Remizidae 115
Spotted Creeper--Salpornithidae 115
Sunbirds--Nectariniidae 116
White-eyes--Zosteropidae 115
True Shrikes--Laniidae 119
Bush-shrikes--Malaconotidae 121
Helmet-shrikes--Prionopidae 120
Orioles--Oriolidae 124
Drongos--Dicruridae 125
Crows--Corvidae 125
Starlings--Sturnidae 126
Oxpeckers--Buphagidae 127
Sparrows--Passeridae 128
Weavers--Ploceidae 128
Estrildid Finches--Estrildidae 136
Indigobirds and Whydahs--Viduidae 140
True Finches--Fringillidae 141
Buntings--Emberizidae 142
Island Forms
Vagrants and localised species
REFERENCES 781
INDEX OF SCIENTIFIC NAMES 801
INDEX OF FRENCH NAMES 815
INDEX OF ENGLISH NAMES 824