Basics: 1999, 630 pages, softcover; 72 color plates of all 640+ of the region's birds, brief identification text adjacent to the plate, most birds with multiple illustrations; 1/2 page of additional text covers description, voice, range, status, and habitat; no range maps
Focusing on just the southern half of the Thai-Malay peninsula of Southeast Asia, this book nicely illustrates in color all the birds of Singapore and the peninsular or western half of Malaysia. The eastern half, found on the island of Borneo, is not included. This is a great field guide due to its fine color plates, the text, and because it is the only book to concentrate on all the birds of this region. Other books either cover the entire southeast Asia region or, focus on the birds of neighboring Thailand. While a field guide to Thailand is very useful, it contains many birds not found in Malaysia and, misses the three endemics found in west Malaysia.
The 72 color plates, which illustrate all birds known from the region, are done very well. With multiple illustrations for a majority of the birds, the key gender and seasonal plumages are depicted. Enough detail, when combined with the text, helps to distinguish the more similar species such as the myriad of flycatchers and babblers. The colors are also very rich, standing out nicely with the pittas, broadbills, and kingfishers. I think that of all the field guides for Southeast Asia or the East Indies, this book has the better artistry (by Alan Pearson), which is a compliment considering the very good works by Karen Phillipps in her books for the region.
Across from each plate is the bird's name along with the briefest of identification notes in one or two lines. These notes point out the more distinctive features of the bird. The remainder of the text makes up the last 2/3 of the book. This is where you'll find 1/3 to 1/2 of a page dedicated to each species. This material presents the same template of these categories: Description, voice, range, status & distribution, habitat, and habits. The descriptive information does a good job at pointing out features to help identify the birds. It also provides specific points to discern the bird from similar species.
Going a bit further than most field guides, this book is introduced by 71 pages of non-field guide material. This is useful, but does add to the bulk of the book which is notably thicker (~40%) than most field guides covering the same number of birds. At total of 630+ pages are in this book when counting in the plates and glossary. Regardless, the information is well worth reading. It gives a great overview of the geography and habitats, conservation and avifauna, migration, and birdwatching in the area. Fourteen maps are provided that show recommended birding spots, habitat distribution, and migration paths. Five other maps are dedicated to showing the ranges of five birds. These are the three endemics (Malaysian Hill-Partridge, Mountain Peacock-Pheasant, Malayan Whistling-Thrush) and the two oddly isolated birds (Hill Prinia and Crested Argus) that are typically found elsewhere in SE Asia. These are the only birds to receive a range map.
To point out one oddity in this very good book, the index does not use page numbers. Instead, for each bird, it provides the plate number - which is standard - and the "bird number". This means when you look up Crested Jay in the back, you're referred to "437". You must thumb through the book scanning the edge of the page to find bird number 437 - which is on page 320.
Overall, this is the best field guide for peninsular Malaysia or Singapore and should be the primary book used when birding this area. Unfortunately, this book is out of print and can be very difficult to find. And, when it is found, the price can be high. -- (Written by Jack at Avian Review / Avian Books, February 2010)
I've listed several related books below...
1) Birds of Perak: Peninsular Malaysia and Where to See Them by MNS Perak Bird Group
2) A Photographic Guide to Birds of Peninsular Malaysia and Singapore by Davison/Fook
3) Winged Wonders in Malaysia by MNS
4) The Birds of the Malay Peninsula, Singapore and Penang. by Glenister
5) The Birds of the Thai-Malay Peninsula: Vol. 1-2 by Wells
6) A Photographic Guide to the Birds of Southeast Asia by Strange
7) Birds of Malaysia by Delacour
8) Birds of Singapore by Hails
9) Birds: An Illustrated Field Guide to the Birds of Singapore by Seng
10) The Avifauna of Singapore by Seng
