The Birds of Borneo

The latest volume from the august publishing house of the BOU is a Checklist of the Birds of Borneo. The third largest island in the world, with at least 630 species of birds Borneo is exceptionally rich in birds and habitats. Some 11% of its land birds are endemic, sadly meaning that there is a high incidence of species of conservation concern, many threatened by deforestation. The main body of the book is an authoritative taxonomic list, with known distribution of each species separated into the various political regions of Borneo, details on habitat, breeding evidence and other notes of interest. A thorough introductory section covers the geography and history of the island and its ornithology. 68 central colour plates illustrate the habitats and some of the species and the book is finished with a comprehensive gazetteer and extensive reference list.

Book reviewed by Su Gough