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Indonesia

This page lists books about birds and birdwatching in Indonesia.

The books are listed by publication date with the most recent at the top.


Borneo

For more books that cover the Indonesian Kalimantan states, which are part of the island of Borneo, see:

Borneo


New Guinea

For more books that cover the Indonesian states of Papua and West Papua, which are part of the island of New Guinea, see:

New Guinea


Asia

For bird books that cover the wider geographical region of South East Asia see:

Asia

 

Birds of the Indonesian Archipelago: Greater Sundas and Wallacea

James A. Eaton, Bas van Balen, Nick W. Brickle, Frank E. Rheindt

Lynx Edicions

2016

"The first ornithological field guide covering the vast chain of the Indonesian archipelago, with over 2,500 illustrations, describes all 1,417 bird species known to occur in the region, including 601 endemics, 98 vagrants, eight introduced species and 18 species yet to be formally described. Together these represent over 13% of global bird diversity. In addition, all subspecies from the region are described. The guide fully encompasses the biogeographic regions of the Greater Sundas (Sumatra, Borneo, Java and Bali) and Wallacea (Sulawesi, the Moluccas and the Lesser Sundas), plus all satellite islands. This region spans an arc of over 4,000 km along the Equator, including Brunei, East Timor, the Malaysian states of Sabah and Sarawak and most of the territory of the Republic of Indonesia. The authors’ vast experience and knowledge of the region’s birds brings together the latest taxonomic insights, knowledge of distribution, field identification features, vocalisations and more to create an indispensable reference for anyone with an interest in the avifauna of this fabulously diverse region."

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The 100 Best Bird Watching Sites in Southeast Asia

Editor: Yong Ding Li, Low Bing Wen

John Beaufoy

2016

"Southeast Asia has a vast diversity of birdlife, comprising roughly one fifth of the world's 10,000 living species, and of which over 850 are endemic, making the region a richly rewarding destination for birdwatchers.This fully illustrated guide describes the 100 best sites for viewing both common and rare species. Divided into the four biodiversity hotspots of Indo-Burma; Sundaland; Philippines and Wallacea, the book covers sites in Myanmar, Thailand, Lao PDR, Cambodia, Vietnam, Malaysia, Singapore, Brunei, Indonesia, the Philippines and Timor Leste.Alongside a map of each area, detailed descriptions of each site cover the type of terrain and specific spots at which certain species are likely to be encountered. Other sections cover access and possible accommodation, as well as important indicators to conservation issues.A fact file for each site lists the nearest town; the type of habitat; key lowland, montane and winter species to be seen as well as other wildlife specialities, and the best time to visit. The book is edited by Yang Ding Li and Low Bing Wen who have brought together a team of contributors, each with in-depth experience of the sites presented."

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A Photographic Guide to the Birds of Indonesia

Morten Strange

Periplus Editions

2012

"This guide covers almost 700 species found in Indonesia. Each species description is illustrated with a photograph and distribution map, making this a quick-reference guide in a pocketable format. Introductory sections include general information, such as the biogeography of the region covered."

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A Photographic Guide to Birds of Bali, Java and Sumatra

Tony Tilford and Alain Compost

New Holland

2nd edition

2010

"The Indonesian islands of Bali, Java and Sumatra are home to a staggering array of birds. They are part of one of the world's biodiversity hot-spots and act as a magnet for birdwatchers from around the world. More than 250 species of migrant and resident birds - including many endemics, such as the spectacular Bali Myna - are featured in this concise and easy-to-use guide. Each species is illustrated in full color and with key information on identification, habitat and distribution. This new edition is fully updated with all the latest names and recently recognised species."

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The National Parks and Other Wild Places of Indonesia

Janet Cochrane and Gerald Cubitt

New Holland

2004

"Designed as a souvenir for the visitor to Indonesia and an introduction to the wildlife and wilderness of this extraordinary country. From teeming reefs and rainforests to tigers, 'dragons' and volcanoes, few countries boast such impressive natural diversity as that found across the 13000 islands of Indonesia. This evocative yet practical exploration of Indonesian parks and wilderness areas brings to life the natural splendour of this, the world's largest archipelago. With 320 photographs, all the major parks of the country are described. Specially drawn colour maps show each area's main features, and visitor information panels provide full details on access, accommodation and activities including hiking, rafting, birdwatching, fishing and diving."

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A Photographic Guide to the Birds of Indonesia

Morton Strange

Christopher Helm

2003

"This guide covers almost 700 species found in Indonesia. Each species description is illustrated with a photograph and distribution map, making this a quick-reference guide in a pocketable format. Introductory sections include general information, such as the biogeography of the region covered."

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A Photographic Guide to the Birds of Indonesia

Morten Strange

Princeton University Press

2003

"The first comprehensive photographic guide to the birds of Indonesia ever available, this superb volume covers 686 species in one of the world's most diverse avifauna regions. The highlight of this book is its almost 700 stunning color photographs - many appearing here for the first time. But the book also contains many other useful features, including distribution maps for all species covered and a concise but thorough text. The volume's design places photographs, text, and maps in close proximity to provide an excellent at-a-glance overview."

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A Photographic Guide to the Birds of Southeast Asia: Including the Philippines and Borneo

Morten Strange

Princeton University Press

2003

"This is the very first comprehensive photographic guide to the birds of mainland Southeast Asia, the Philippines, and Borneo, including the birds of Peninsular Malaysia, Thailand, Indochina, South China, Hong Kong, and Taiwan. Covering 668 species, the volume contains a distribution map for each species in addition to more than 700 brilliant color photographs, many appearing here for the first time. The photographs are complemented by a concise text providing all the information needed to accurately identify species in one of the world's richest avifauna regions. Given the notorious difficulty of photographing rainforest birds, this book represents a major achievement. It is an ideal volume for travelers to the region as well as for all bird lovers."

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A Photographic Guide to the Birds of Southeast Asia: Including the Philippines and Borneo

Morton Strange

Christopher Helm

2003

"This guide covers almost 700 species found in Southeast Asia, including the Philippines and Borneo. Each species is illustrated with a photograph and distribution map, making this a quick-reference guide in a pocketable format. Introductory sections include general information, such as the biogeography of the region covered."

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A Photographic Guide to Birds of Bali, Java and Sumatra

Tony Tilford and Alain Compost

New Holland

1st edition

2000

"This text is a compact, easy-to-use bird identification guide suitable for any birdwatcher visiting the Indonesian islands of Java, Sumatra and Bali. The book features descriptions of 236 species, thumbnail silhouettes for ease of use, up-to-date tips and information on bird biology and behaviour."

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Birds of South-East Asia: A Photographic Guide to the Birds of Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore, the Philippines and Indonesia

Morten Strange

New Holland

1998

"South-East Asia offers an array of spectacular and unusual birds. This illustrated work displays over 250 birds to be found in Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, Indonesia and the Phillipines. It offers advice on how to locate and identify them in the field; facts on behaviour, feeding, breeding and migrating habits; and information on threatened or endangered species in each country."

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Birding Indonesia: A Bird-watcher's Guide to the World's Largest Archipelago

Editor: Paul Jepson

Periplus Editions

1997

"Birding Indonesia is the first guide to bird-watching in Indonesia. The archipelago contains 17% of the world's bird species, of which 381 are found nowhere else on earth. Written by the world's leading authorities on Indonesian birds, this book directs you in search of these specialities, to sites as varied as the environs of Jakarta to Arfak Mountains in Irian Jaya. Information: Essays on bird families, a history of Indonesian ornithology, today's conservation efforts, and much more. A complete checklist of Indonesian birds, with common and scientific names(along with the areas in which the birds are found), and a bibliography."

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A Guide to the Birds of Wallacea: Sulawesi, The Moluccas and Lesser Sunda Islands, Indonesia

Brian J. Coates, K.D. Bishop

Illustrations: Dana Gardner

Dove Publications

1997

"A major guide to the birds of the region. The avifauna of this region is a fascinating mix of Asian and Australasian elements but, more importantly, it hosts an extraordinary high number of 249 endemic bird species. This book treats and illustrates all of the 697 species of birds reliably recorded in Wallacea up to July 1996. Intended to serve as both an identification guide and reference the book has two main sections: an identification section comprising the plates and a detailed plate caption text, and a family and species account section that provides detailed information on distribution, abundance, ecology, habits and voice."

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The Ecology of Nusa Tenggara and Maluku

Kathryn A. Monk, Yance Fretes and Gayatri Reksodiharjo-Lilley

The Ecology Of Indonesia Series, Volume V

Oxford University Press

1997

"Presents, for the first time within one cover, extensive baseline data on the region's natural history, people, ecosystems, biodiversity, and land-use. It discusses these in historical context, as well as in the context of the socio-economic development of the region. Highly illustrated, and accessible to any reader with an interest in the region, it also provides guidelines to scientific researches on worthwhile ecological and socio-economic research projects. It will be invaluable to all individuals involved in development planning and environmental management within the region."

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The Ecology of Sulawesi

Tony Whitten, Greg S. Henderson and Muslimin Mustafa

The Ecology Of Indonesia Series, Volume IV

Oxford University Press

1997

"An important work on the environmental problems, ecosystems, resources and human aspects of this little known region of Indonesia, drawing on information and research from over 1600 sources."

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The Ecology of Kalimantan: Indonesian Borneo

Kathy MacKinnon, Gusti Hatta, Hakimah Halim and Arthur Mangalik

The Ecology Of Indonesia Series, Volume III

Oxford University Press

1997

"Kalimantan has played a key role in Indonesia's economic development and is a major earner of foreign revenue due to the island's rich reserves of natural resources: forests, oil, gas, coal and other minerals. In this book the autors argue that Kalimantan can be developed, but only within tight ecological constraints and with great care. This book is expected to become a standard reference for scientists, anthropologists, writers and others interested in the region."

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The Ecology of Java and Bali

Tony Whitten, Roehayat Emon Soeriaatmadja and Suraya A. Affif

The Ecology Of Indonesia Series, Volume II

Oxford University Press

1997

"This book draws on over 3000 Indonesian, Dutch and English sources to present a complete summary of our current scientific knowledge about the riverene, rainforest, mountain, and coastal ecosystems of Java and Bali. Using maps, colour photographs, and line-drawings, it examines these ecosystems and the interrelationships between some of their component species. It also focuses on the people of the islands and their use of natural resources, as a major part of these ecosystems. Discussion of development, conservation, and ecologically sustainable resource management is also incorporated."

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The Ecology of Sumatra

Tony Whitten, Sengli J. Damanik, Jazanul Anwar and Nazaruddin Hisyam

The Ecology Of Indonesia Series, Volume I

Oxford University Press

1997

"The Ecology of Sumatra has brought together nearly 1500 references relevant to understanding the components and functioning of the wide range of natural and man-made ecosystems on Sumatra."

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The Birds of Sulawesi

Derek Holmes and Karen Phillipps

Oxford University Press

1996

"The birds of Sulawesi, Indonesia, are unique. Nearly 100 species are found nowhere else in the world - this high rate of endemism serves as a magnet for bird watchers world wide. This book is the first illustrated bird book for Sulawesi and it provides an introduction to the remarkable wealth of birds. Of the 278 species found there, 161 species are described, with brief reference to another 88. 142 species are illustrated in colour, 22 in black-and-white. Written in non-technical prose, distinguishing features, behaviour, voice, and habitat are covered. A complete checklist is included."

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Geographical Variation in Birds of Java

G.F. Mees

Nuttall Ornithological Club publication 26

1996

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A Field Guide to the Birds of Borneo, Sumatra, Java and Bali

John MacKinnon in collaboration with Paul Andrew & Frank Rozendaal

Illustrations: Karen Phillips

Oxford University Press

1993

"An identification guide to the birds of this region which includes descriptions and colour illustrations of all 820 species. Information is provided on where to look for endemic and insular forms and on major birding localities."

Contents: Introduction to the region; Biogeography; Conservation; Field techniques for birdwatching; When and where to see birds; Family and Species Descriptions; Appendices; Land birds found on offshore island groups; Bornean montane birds by mountain group; Endemic and endangered species in main reserves; Endangered and threatened species by island; Annotated list of birds of the Malay Peninsula not described in the text; Sonosketches of characteristic bird calls; Regional ornithological clubs, journals, and museums; Bibliography.

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The Birds of Sumatra and Kalimantan

Derek Holmes and Stephen Nash

Images Of Asia Series

Oxford University Press

1991

"This book, the second in the series on the avifauna of Indonesia, introduces the reader to the most typical and colourful birds of the large islands of Sumatra and Kalimantan, whose dipterocarp forests of the lowlands and wetland forest of the coastal plains are particularly rich habitats. The main descriptions covering 148 species from nearly every bird family on the two islands, provide information on the plumage, behaviour, habitat, and distribution to enable the general naturalist to identify most of the birds found readily in the different habitats of the islands. Reference is also made in the text to a further 129 species to illustrate the range and variety of birds in each family."

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The Birds of Java and Bali

Derek Holmes and Stephen Nash

Images Of Asia Series

Oxford University Press

1989

The text covers just over 200 spcies with colour illustration of 112 of these. Includes a checklist with 433 species.

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Birds of Bali

Victor Mason and Frank Jarvis

Periplus Editions

1989

"Celebrating the great colour and diversity of Bali's many avian inhabitants, this book is a comprehensive and illustrated introduction to over 120 of Bali's avian species. It should be a useful reference for ornithologists."

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Field Guide to the Birds of Java and Bali

J. McKinnon

Gadjah Mada University Press

1988

Covers 488 species with roughly half a page of text for each covering description, distribution and behaviour. 30 colour plates.

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The Birds of Sumatra: An Annotated Checklist

J.G. Van Marle and K.H. Voous

British Ornithologists Union

1988

This book provides a detailed account of the important South East Asian island group and covers 600 recorded species.

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The Birds of Wallacea (Sulawesi, The Moluccas and Lesser Sunda Islands, Indonesia): An Annotated Checklist

C.M.N. White and M.D. Bruce

British Ornithologists Union

1986

A detailed account of the 676 species recorded in this group of island. Accounts include local names, historical records and present distribution and status.

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Birds Of The Malay Peninsular, Singapore and Penang

A.G. Glenister

Illustrations: Elizabeth Glenister

Oxford University Press

First paperback edition

1971

"An account of all the Malayan species, with a note of their occurence in Sumatra, Borneo and Java, and a list of the birds of those islands."

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Birds Of The Malay Peninsular, Singapore and Penang

A.G. Glenister

Illustrations: Elizabeth Glenister

Oxford University Press

1951

"An account of all the Malayan species, with a note of their occurence in Sumatra, Borneo and Java, and a list of the birds of those islands."

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Birds of the Island of Java

Nagamichi Kuroda

1933/1936

Volume 1: Passeres - 370 pages with 14 colour plates and a fold-out map. Volume 2: Non-Passeres- 420 pages with 20 colour plates and a fold-out map.

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A List Of Birds Known To Inhabit The Island Of Celebes

Viscount Walden

Transactions of the Zoological Society of London

1872

Opening lines:

"Situated in the midst of the vast collection of islands which contribute to form the Malay archipelago, Celebes possesses an avifauna of a type peculiar to itself. The geographical position of the island and the leading characteristics of its fauna have been so clearly explained and depicted by Mr. Wallace, that it is almost unnecessary for me to add any observations of my own on these points. This great naturalist has shown that the principal and most striking peculiarity of the fauna of Celebes is its individuality - a generalization fully supported by the evidence furnished by its birds ; and it is the chief object of this paper to give a list of all the birds authentically recorded as inhabitants of Celebes, and to show in some detail the zoogeographical relations of its genera and species. Our knowledge of the Celebean ornis has been principally derived from the discoveries of the Dutch travellers Forsten, Von Rosenberg, and Bernstein, and from those of Mr. Wallace. Yet although the Dutch naturalists and our great English traveller ransacked those parts of Celebes they traversed or resided in, they all more or less covered the same ground. The larger portion of the island (fully two thirds of its area) still remains ornithologically unknown."

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Last updated March 2014