Birds of Fiji, Tonga and Samoa

Birds of Fiji, Tonga and Samoa is the first definitive account of the ornithology of this island region in the South-west Pacific. This is an area where there is a lack of ornithological material available to the public but where there is a growing demand for information.

The book draws its material from the author's research and experience in the region and a thorough review of the literature.

Each resident bird species and the regular migrants are given an individual species account with sections on identification-oriented descriptions, flight, voice, food, breeding behaviour and ecology. Many of the land birds have restricted distributions while others have curious discontinuous distributions. Distribution maps are included as an important aid for identification, especially for those not familiar with the avifauna. Vagrant species and unconfirmed sightings are included in the Remarks section of species accounts of birds with which they may be confused.

The birds are magnificently illustrated on full colour plates, painted by Chloe Talbot-Kelly, an internationally renowned ornithological artist and illustrator. She has also prepared black and white text illustrations which depict special features of different birds or important facets of their lifestyle.

Introductory chapters give an insight into the ornithological history of the region, how some of its closely related species avoid direct competition and a summary of how little we know about the breeding and moulting regimes of the land birds. The geography of the region is brought to life by the photographs of Jim Siers, foremost Pacific photographer.

The book concludes with an exhaustive Bibliography of the literature relating to the ornithology of the region, and three indices to enable readers to have easy access to any particular bird by using either English, local or scientific names.