Hanne Eriksen

Basics: 2005, softcover, 256 pages, 400 color photos, 250 species, range map for each bird, seasonal chart

This is a regional, photographic guide that covers the more common 250 of the country’s 490 birds. The book is divided into five distinct groups: gardens, parks, farmlands; coastal; lakes and lagoons; mountains and deserts; and, specialties of Dhofar. This latter region is in the extreme southwest corner of Oman.

The authors have used a wide selection of good photographs. There is one species per page and, typically, one large photo of the bird. An additional smaller photo is sometimes supplied to show the bird in flight or to display its alternate plumage.

As one might expect in a book intended for all audiences, the text offers general information on the bird’s status, range, habitat, breeding, and description. The range maps use four colors for seasonal distributions and a horizontal calendar chart displays the abundance of the bird for each month.

While the authors intended this book to be a useful guide for the general birder, it will also appeal to those with an interest in the birds of the Middle East due to its photographs. It is a good introduction to Oman’s commoner birds. A more focused birding trip will require a complete field guide, such as the very good book Field Guide to the Birds of the Middle East by Porter et.al.

I’ve listed several related books below…
1) Field Guide to the Birds of the Middle East by Porter et.al.
2) Birds of the Middle East and North Africa by Hollom et.al.
3) Birdlife in Oman by Eriksen
4) The Birds of Oman by Gallagher/Woodcock
5) Birds of Al Jabal Al Akhdar by Eriksen
6) The Birds of the United Arab Emirates by Richardson
7) Inland Birds of Saudi Arabia by Silsby
8) Birds of the Eastern Province of Saudi Arabia by Bundy/Connor/Harrison
9) Birds of Southern Arabia by Robinson/Chapman
10) Birds of Bahrain by Nightingale/Hill… (altro)