Birds of East Africa (Helm Field Guides)

Birds of East Africa is the first comprehensive field guide to this spectacular birding region--and one of the best to any region in the world. Covering all resident, migrant, and vagrant birds of Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, Rwanda, and Burundi, this small and compact guide describes and illustrates a remarkable 1,388 species in convenient facing-page layout. Featuring 287 new color plates with 3,400 images painstakingly rendered by three experienced artists, the guide illustrates all the plumages and major races likely to be encountered. Set opposite the plates are range maps and concise accounts describing identification, status, range, habits, and voice for each species. Introductory sections provide notes on how to use the species accounts, the nomenclature adopted, conservation issues, where to send records, and maps of protected and other important bird areas.

Between them, Terry Stevenson and John Fanshawe have more than 40 years' experience leading bird tours and conducting conservation work in East Africa. The region shelters a remarkable diversity of birds, including many seriously threatened species with small and vulnerable ranges. The region's birds form a constantly colorful, noisy, and highly extroverted part of the landscape. The book is sure to become an indispensable guide for anyone interested in studying or conserving birds in East Africa, as well as the many visitors who simply want to enjoy the sheer beauty of its birds.

• First comprehensive field guide to the countries of Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, Rwanda, and Burundi


• Covers 1,388 species, with 3,400 color images on 287 plates


• Concise species accounts facing the plates describe appearance, status, range, habits, and voice


• A color distribution map is given for each species


• Information on habitats, protected areas, and conservation issues


• The essential guide to the birds of this spectacular region


• An overview of East African birds


• East African environment


• Seasonality


• Plumage


• Species accounts


• Common alternative names


• Conservation and threatened species


• The local scene


• Glossary, references, and an index

Key Features?

• Small and compact


• Comprehensive species


• All distinctive plumages and races illustrated


• Color plates


• Illustrations


• All species ranges mapped


• Key protected and important bird areas mapped