China is one of the largest countries in the world, covering 7% of the earth's land surface, and encompassing a hugely diverse range of habitats. As a result it boasts a rich and diverse avifauna, including some of the most spectacular and fascinating birds to be found anywhere in the world. John MacKinnon and Karen Phillipps' important new guide will be the first truly comprehensive, taxonomically modern, and fully illustrated field guide to the birds of China. Over 1300 bird species are illustrated in 128 original colour paintings, by Karen Phillipps and Dave Showler. The species accounts stress the key points for field recognition and give a full description of the plumage, voice, range, distribution, status, and behavioural characteristics for every bird, with additional descriptions provided for hundreds of subspecies. Colour distribution maps are provided for all illustrated species. The book also includes a useful introductory section that presents a background to the ecology of China, a brief history of Chinese ornithology, and plenty of practical hints on birdwatching in China. The guide's portable format means it will fit easily into a backpack or pocket. John MacKinnon lived in China and Hong Kong for eight years, and has extensive experience of watching and writing about Chinese birds. He has been working in ecology and conservation in Asia for over 30 years, and his work in China included co-authoring the master plan to save the Giant Panda and its habitat. He has written and co-authored many books on the natural history of Asia, including a number of other bird guides. Karen Phillipps was born in Borneo, lived in Hong Kong for over 20 years, and has illustrated several other books on the birdlife of the region.

Readership: Birdwatchers and ecotravellers wanting to watch birds in China, Taiwan, or Hong Kong (also Japan, Korea, Mongolia). Professional and academic ornithologists. Libraries, ornithological societies, conservation agencies.

John MacKinnon, EU Co-director, ASEAN Regional Centre for Biodiversity Conservation, Philippines

"...a much needed addition to the world of birding fieldguides, which will immediately be welcomed, not just for being there, but also for having excellent clear illustrations. good clean distribution maps (thanks to David MacKinnon) and well written and comprehensive text. Fatbirder, birding reviews, November 2007"

"'This book would get the thumbs up even if there was an alternative available' Birdwatching"

Part One - Introductory Section; Author's Introduction; Acknowledgements; Introduction to Region; History of Ornithology in China; Avian Biogeography of Region; Conservation; Field Techniques for Birdwatching; Anatomy and Plumage of a Bird; Glossary of terms used; Part Two - Species Descriptions; Part Three - Appendices: 1. Limited Distribution Birds of Endemic Bird Areas; 2. Lists of Threatened and Endangered Species of China; 3. List of Birds of North Arunachel Pradesh not Described in Book; 4. List of Birds expected on Spratly Islands not Described in Book; 5. List of Clubs and Journals for the area; 6. Chinese Names; Bibliography; Index and synonyms