The Birdwatcher’s Guide to Hawai’i (Kolowalu Books)
July 29, 2008
This is the first site-specific birding book written especially for the casual or novice birder. It is a fully illustrated look at more than 60 top birding sites on O`ahu, Kaua`i, the Big Island, Maui, Moloka`i, and Lanai. Every spot described offers something special–forest-dwelling birds unique to Hawai`i, seabirds that rarely visit the shore, or introduced birds found in city parks and gardens.
Birds of greatest interest and those most likely to be seen at each site are given particular attention, with information on seasonal occurrences to help visitors plan their birding trips. Site descriptions note activities and nearby points of interest, detailed directions to the sites, and available facilities for visitors. Helpful occurrence tables show at a glance where common and uncommon birds can be found. General information on birding in Hawai`i, a description of the processes that led to extensive speciation, and a review of the threats against Hawaiian birdlife are included.
Customer Review: Not for strangers in paradise
Before our first visit to Hawaii I searched to find something that would serve as a useful guide for a trip that would permit only casual bird-watching. This book is really best for someone able to dedicate time to exploring the recommended hikes. Having said that, my main complaint about the book is that the illustrations are of little use to someone from the North American continent who is unfamiliar with Hawaii’s birds, as the majority of readers probably are. After all, which would be more useful, good color photos of Northern Cardinals, or a photo of the ‘Apapane? A photo of a Black-crowned Night Heron, or a photo of the ‘I’iwi? The Birdwatchers Guide has very good photos of a male and a female cardinal and the heron, which are close to ubiquitous in the mainland USA, and none of the latter, which are totally unfamiliar to mainlanders. There are lots of black and white photos of things like people looking through binoculars, road signs, and trails, none of which are terribly useful to birdwatchers trying to ID unfamiliar species…
Customer Review: Useful and interesting
Rick Soehren knows Hawai’i and its birds, and this site guide is a great help to visitors. Soehren describes, island by island, where to find Hawai’i’s birds, and in the process gives the reader some of Hawai’i’s avian history. The book is illustrated with good black-and-white photographs. I have used the book on Hawai’i and Kaua’i and have found it clear, accurate, and very useful. Buy from here…
