Book Review: Hornbills of the World – A Photographic Guide

on 7th June 2013

Hornbills of the World: A Photographic Guide is hot off the press. Authored by two international hornbill experts (Thailand’s Dr Pilai Poonswad and South African’s Dr Alan Kemp) together with Singapore based bird-book writer (Morten Strange), it is published by Draco Publishing and Distribution Pte. Ltd. and Hornbill Research Foundation. The 212 pages paerback (ISBN: 978-981-07-3528-9), priced at S$62 is available at Natures Niche LINK.

The last monograph on hornbills was published in 1995. Authored by Alan Kemp, The Hornbills, Bucerotiformes was brought out by Oxford University Press. This much sought after monograph is now out of print.

The current monograph, Hornbills of the World: A Photographic Guide, is long overdue. The more than 400 colour photographs of these birds that illustrate the book were all taken in their natural environment, except for two that were taken in captivity. These have been reproduced in glossy format that brings out the richness of the colours of these spectacular birds. Many of these photographs show the birds in their various behavioural activities like feeding, nesting, roosting, etc. These photographs were sourced from 62 world-class nature photographers that include Dr Tim Laman of National Geographic fame.

Covering 15 genera, 57 species and 75 subspecies from the two families of hornbills (Bucorvidae and Bucerotidae) that come from Asia (32 spp.) and Africa (25 spp.), the book is virtually an authoritative photographic guide to every species of hornbills found in the world.

The first part of the book consists of chapters dealing with general information, from distribution and how the different species relate to one another to their general habits that include their feeding and breeding ecology. I am particularly fascinated by the species that follow other animals to take advantage of the insects that the latter disturb by their movements. These animals include different species of birds, mammals like mongoose, squirrels, monkeys, and army ants.

The second part, which takes up the main bulk of the book, is the species account. Headings under each species include its taxonomy, distribution, description, ecology and habit, breeding ecology and status. This section is just as lavishly illustrated.

A final chapter discusses the threats these spectacular birds face in their native countries and the efforts made for their conservation.

The book is much more than a photographic guide. Without doubt the many colour photographs help readers to easily identify the species and subspecies, to differentiate the male from the female and to relate to the different bahaviour patterns of these hornbills. However, the detailed information of the species, written in simple language, together with the many photographs, make the book an invaluable resource for nature enthusiasts, birdwatchers and ornithologists alike.

YC Wee
Singapore
June 2013

If you like this post please tap on the Like button at the left bottom of page. Any views and opinions expressed in this article are solely those of the authors/contributors, and are not endorsed by the Lee Kong Chian Natural History Museum (LKCNHM, NUS) or its affiliated institutions. Readers are encouraged to use their discretion before making any decisions or judgements based on the information presented.

YC Wee

Dr Wee played a significant role as a green advocate in Singapore through his extensive involvement in various organizations and committees: as Secretary and Chairman for the Malayan Nature Society (Singapore Branch), and with the Nature Society (Singapore) as founding President (1978-1995). He has also served in the Nature Reserve Board (1987-1989), Nature Reserves Committee (1990-1996), National Council on the Environment/Singapore Environment Council (1992-1996), Work-Group on Nature Conservation (1992) and Inter-Varsity Council on the Environment (1995-1997). He is Patron of the Singapore Gardening Society and was appointed Honorary Museum Associate of the Lee Kong Chian Natural History Museum (LKCNHM) in 2012. In 2005, Dr Wee started the Bird Ecology Study Group. With more than 6,000 entries, the website has become a valuable resource consulted by students, birdwatchers and researchers locally and internationally. The views and opinions expressed in this article are his own, and do not represent those of LKCNHM, the National University of Singapore or its affiliated institutions.

Other posts by YC Wee

One Response

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Categories
Archives

Overall visits (since 2005)

Clustrmaps (since 2016)