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Birds of Central Asia is the first field guide to include the former Soviet republics of Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan and Tajikistan, along with neighbouring Afghanistan. This vast area includes a diverse variety of habitats, and the avifauna is similarly broad, from sandgrouse, ground jays and larks on the vast steppe and semi-desert to a broad range of raptors, and from woodland species such as warblers and nuthatches to a suite of montane species, such as snowcocks, accentors and snowfinches. Birds of Central Asia includes 141 high-quality plates covering every species (and all distinctive races) that occur in the region, along with concise text focusing on identification and accurate colour maps. Important introductory sections introduce the land and its birds. Birds of Central Asia is a must-read for any birder or traveller visting this remote region.
Manuel Schweizer, Raffael Ayé, and Tobias Roth are a trio of ornithologists from Switzerland, based at the University of Berne. They are experts on the birds of Central Asia, with considerable experience in the field. Among their many achievements was the discovery of the breeding grounds of large-billed reed warblers in Tajikistan.
"[...] Even if this field guide had not been entering into a clear field, I'm quite sure the information contained between its covers would have trumped whatever was available already – as it happens, there are no alternatives, and that only goes to enhance the value of this book yet further."
– Stephen Menzie, www.birdguides.com, 06-03-2013
"[...] This is an excellent guide and one that is essential for any visit to the region. Central Asia provides a rich source for many vagrants to Europe, and this is a concise guide to the many iconic species and distinctive races that are highly sought after in Europe in late autumn. The appeal of this book extends well beyond its intended market and should be useful for anyone with an interest in Central Asia and its birds."
– Peter Kennerley, British Birds, 06-03-2013
"[...] This book is an essential addition to any birder's bookshelves – for anyone who has visited or is visiting the region or indeed, is interested in birds that may occur as vagrants to Europe. Finally, to include Afghanistan in this book is a very bold and welcome move. The authors and artists are to be heartily congratulated."
– Vaughan Ashby, Birding World 25(11), December 2012
