Field Guide for Shorebirds or Waders - Advice please (1 Viewer)

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Pied Kingfisher

Active member

• Apr 3, 2005

• #1

Hi, there.

May I have your advice on getting a good field guide for IDing shorebirds or waders in South East Asia.

I have done some research on local and internet bookstores and also on this Bird Forum. I have narrowed down my choices to the following books:-

Shorebirds: An ID Guide to the Waders of the World (Peter Hayman & others)
Photographic Guide to Shorebirds of the World (David Rosair & others)
Shorebirds of North America (Dennis Paulson)
Seabirds of the World: The Complete Reference (Jim Enticott) - not a field guide

I could not find a guide particularly for S.E. Asia and have to compromise with a book covering a greater geographic range.

Your advice will be very much appreciated.

 

S

Steve Lister

Senior Birder, ex County Recorder, Garden Moths.

• Apr 3, 2005

• #2

There is, or was, a book on the Waterbirds of SE Asia which was reasonable - I remember using it in Hong Kong a long time ago. Obviously it had more than waders in it, but that was useful in my case.

All the ones you mention would be useful except the last one, which is seabirds. There is a corresponding Waders book in the same series of photo guides, probably out of print though.

Steve

 

P

Pied Kingfisher

Active member

• Apr 3, 2005

• #3

Hi, Steve. Thanks for your prompt reply indeed. I also got the name of a book like "Waterbird of the Far East" from a birding pal of my local birding society. However, I searched for it in vain. Probably out of print and not mentioned at all in all book sites. Thanks for pointing out the relevance of the last book on my list.

 

S

Steve Lister

Senior Birder, ex County Recorder, Garden Moths.

• Apr 3, 2005

• #4

I have been and found it. It is called
A Field Guide to the Waterbirds of Asia
and published by the Wild Bird Society of Japan. Mine is the 1st edition, 1993.
ISBN 4-7700-1740-5

Steve

 

P

Pied Kingfisher

Active member

• Apr 3, 2005

• #5

Steve,

I found one used book on amazon.com selling for US$75. But there is not much info about the book like its no of pages etc. Please advise if the price is reasonable though it seems the availability is limited and thus no hint for a fair "market" price today. BTW, it is the same 1993 edition as yours.

Thanks in advance.

 

StuartReeves

Local rarity

• Apr 3, 2005

• #6

The Hayman et al Shorebirds book is a classic and would certainly help you with the ID of any shorebird you are likely to find anywhere !

Stuart

 

P

Pied Kingfisher

Active member

• Apr 3, 2005

• #7

Hi, Stuart. Thanks for your advice. I found some used books also on amazon from US$48. Just like to reconfirm that the co-authors are Tony Prater and John Marchant.

 

StuartReeves

Local rarity

• Apr 3, 2005

• #8

Pied Kingfisher said:

Hi, Stuart. Thanks for your advice. I found some used books also on amazon from US$48. Just like to reconfirm that the co-authors are Tony Prater and John Marchant.

Click to expand...

That's the one !

 

S

Steve Lister

Senior Birder, ex County Recorder, Garden Moths.

• Apr 3, 2005

• #9

Pied Kingfisher said:

Steve,

I found one used book on amazon.com selling for US$75. But there is not much info about the book like its no of pages etc. Please advise if the price is reasonable though it seems the availability is limited and thus no hint for a fair "market" price today. BTW, it is the same 1993 edition as yours.

Thanks in advance.

Click to expand...

I would not pay $75 for it as it is only a small paperback. You would be better buying the Hayman book. It might be available new at less than $48 so I would keep looking.

Steve

 

S

Steve Lister

Senior Birder, ex County Recorder, Garden Moths.

• Apr 3, 2005

• #10

On second thoughts, after a quick look at Amazon, $48 for Hayman's book might be a good price: Amazon Uk have a softback at £86, thats about $160!!!

Steve

 

P

Pied Kingfisher

Active member

• Apr 5, 2005

• #11

Hi, Steve & Stuart.

Both of you are very helpful. I placed my order for the Hayman ID Guide and the Photo Guide as well. Well, someone might be more in need of the book on Asian waterbirds and ordered it before I returned. After all, I share Steve's view that it is too expensive. I also have same belief as Stuart that Hayman is good enough for my purpose. Thanks again.