New Field Guide to the Birds of Hawaii

This book is the latest in the American Birding Association Field Guide Series. Written by expert birders Helen and Andre Raine with photographs by professional photographer and wildlife biologist Jack Jeffrey, The Field Guide to the Birds of Hawaii goes beyond simply bird identification. It provides useful information with facts on 139 birds, including the 34 remaining endemic species and subspecies and all native breeding species. The status of each bird is listed as endemic, native, introduced, migrant, winter visitor or vagrant and according to conservation status when vulnerable, threatened or endangered.

The authors state that the purpose of the guidebook is to describe the birds you’re most likely to see when you visit the islands, instead of an exhaustive list of every vagrant that’s visited. And they give specifics on where to see each bird, which makes it extremely valuable. A full checklist is included in the back of the book.

I enjoyed reading about birds and the Hawaiian culture and the section on conservation. I learned the single biggest threat to Hawaii’s forest birds is avian malaria. I also learned that seabirds evolved on the islands without the threat of mammalian predators. Many are now vulnerable to cats, rats and pigs. It’s sad that so many species are now extinct.

The book is easy to read and the perfect size to tote along on birding trips. The photos are a clear representation of the birds to help with identification.

I eagerly waited for the release of this book. It’s a wonderful addition to my birding library.

Happy Birding!

jjthebackyardbirder.com