Basics: 2004, hardcover, 380 pages, color photo of 29 species, accounts of all 372 species, atlas/distribution maps
This large (11.5 x 8.5 inches) book is an ornithological reference for the general accounts of all 372 birds of Azerbaijan. The primary focus of the book is to document the status, distribution, and seasonal presence of the birds. Although color photos are included, the majority (45 out of 74) of these show the variety of habitats in the country as well as photos of eggs and nests. Only 29 species of birds are shown in the remaining photos.
The color photos are of good quality and certainly show off the variability of the Azerbaijan geological features. The photos of the birds are of decent quality.
The heart of the book is its text and maps. Each bird receives about 1/3 of a page composed of six categories. These are status, distribution, habitat, movement, population size, and breeding. The distribution receives a greater amount of attention and offers good geographic details that define the regional presence of the bird. The section on movements incorporates many references that provide date ranges for both the spring and fall migrations.
Except for the rarer vagrants, each bird is accompanied by a decently sized map (3.5 x 2.5 inches) of Azerbaijan. The same template is used for each bird. This map contains helpful geographic details by including labeled rivers and cities. The bird's presence is marked in three methods. First, is the use of four different symbols that represent the following: confirmed nesting record, former nesting, summer sighting, and winter sighting outside the normal winter range. Second, three different shades of gray are used to show the ranges of wintering in the past, main wintering grounds, and other wintering grounds. Third, two types of arrows are used to denote the direction and spring/autumn migration of the birds.
These maps contain very useful information, but they can demand a little more attention to sort out the busy markings of the map. This busyness is a side-effect of the geographic detail in the maps. For species with few dots or with small winter ranges, you need to scan around properly to make sure you find all the information.
The book concludes with several informative appendices. These offer a complete checklist that includes the status of each bird for the seasons; 21 pages on important bird areas; tables and graphs on rookeries; and notes on the impacts of hunting, hard winters, and oil pollution.
This book will probably be of interest to a smaller niche of birders, primarily the data and research oriented ornithologist and those with a more direct interest in this small area tucked in between Russia, Georgia, and Iran.
I've listed several related books below...
1) The Birds of Turkey by Kirwan
2) Songbirds of Turkey by Roselaar
3) Raptors and Owls of Georgia by Galvez
4) A Field Guide to Birds of Armenia by Adamian/Klem
5) Handbook of the Birds of Armenia by Adamian/Klem
6) Birds of Europe with North Africa and the Middle East by Jonsson
7) Birds of Europe by Mullarney et al.
8) Field Guide to the Birds of the Middle East by Porter et.al.
9) Birds of the Middle East and North Africa: A Companion Guide by Hollom et.al.
10) Birds of Fauna of Ukraine: The Field Guide by Fesenko (ISBN 966771022X)
(written by Soleglad at Avian Review or Avian Books, November 2008)
