Asia Field Guides

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Asia is a diverse, mysterious region, one filled with incredible languages, cultures, faiths, foods, traditions, celebrations, and of course, birds. Whether you’re birding in the west – India, Pakistan, Nepal – or the east – China, Japan, Mongolia, and the Korean peninsula – or the south – Thailand, Cambodia, Vietnam, even Malaysia and Singapore – you’re sure to encounter truly phenomenal birds. To properly identify them, you’ll need a truly phenomenal field guide, and Be Your Own Birder has you covered! I’ve personally touched, scanned, perused, studied, pondered, and pored over every field guide on this list, and given each one an honest appraisal for its quality and field use. Check back regularly for new and updated reviews, or contact me to have your favorite Asia bird field guide added to the list!

Defining Asia

Asia is the largest of the politically defined continents in the world, covering roughly 30 percent of the planet’s land area. Within that area, there are more than 3,700 recorded bird species, with unknown numbers of rare sightings that could drive the number even higher. Furthermore, in more isolated regions – such as high mountains or dense jungles – it is entirely likely that as-yet-undiscovered bird species still flutter about, unbeknownst to eager birders. Most field guides, however, take a much more limited approach to Asia, only covering smaller areas or single countries in order to be thorough with the birds that may be seen.

The list includes indisputably Asia field guides, with limited guides for individual countries as well as guides that may cover more extensive regions. Depending on your travel plans, more than one guide may be best to help you identify the Asian birds you see, but each one will make a fine addition to any birding library, no matter where you may travel!

Asia Bird Field Guides

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Birds of East Asia

Publisher: Princeton University Press
Publication Date: 2009
Bird Artwork: Illustrations
Pages: 528
Portability: Good

Be Your Own Birder’s Thoughts: Birds of East Asia is a comprehensive volume, covering eastern China and Taiwan to Korea, Japan, and eastern Russia. While most of mainland China is not part of the book’s scope, and nor is the popular destination of Hong Kong, this book is still masterful. To remain portable, no space is wasted. The inside front cover features a regional map, while the inside back cover is a quick bird type index. Of special interest are the family overviews (pages 14-29) – most field guides put this information with each family’s profiles, but by grouping them, Birds of East Asia allows easier family comparison. While the overall font is small, the contrast and printing are both clear. Inner margins may be a bit tight, but the sturdy binding can be opened wide for easy reading. Thumbnail range maps are included with the text, and are enlarged to restricted regions to better show detail. Illustrations are crisp, with stunning but accurate coloration. Birds are shown in typical postures, with similar species grouped for comparison, and when necessary, multiple illustrations are included. Though there are pages with a dozen images or more on a single plate, illustrations are spaced well and not overly crowded. The profiles and plate on pages 500-501 are especially poignant depictions of recently extinct birds, with information about how each species declined and eventually disappeared. A species distribution table with overall population numbers (pages 502-513) includes checkboxes – ideal for birders who keep lists. The birds of eastern Asia are beautiful and diverse, and Birds of East Asia shows both their beauty and diversity in a compact volume that can help birders better identify birds throughout the region.

Best Surprise: Surprisingly comprehensive coverage of 1,000+ species spanning an immense region of the continent.
What’s Missing: Lacks a regional hotspot or birding destination list or any travel tips for Asian birding.

A Photographic Guide to the Birds of India

Publisher: Princeton University Press
Publication Date: 2003
Bird Artwork: Photographs
Pages: 512
Portability: Good

Be Your Own Birder’s Thoughts: Birders new to India will appreciate A Photographic Guide to the Birds of India and the Indian Subcontinent, Including Pakistan, Nepal, Bhutan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka & the Maldives’ extensive introduction, featuring details about the region’s ornithological and birding history, conservation threats, primary habitats, climate, and more. While this guide covers 668 unique species, there are more than 1,300 species recorded in the region, making it less comprehensive for unusual sightings, vagrants, or rarities. As a photographic guide it can be marginal, as the photo quality varies strongly. Some species are illustrated with close, detailed photos and breathtaking views, while other photos are distant and poor quality, failing to show even the most prominent field marks necessary for confident identification. In general, however, the worst photos are rare or endangered birds unlikely to be encountered casually, and this guide is adequate as a first reference to India’s outstanding birds. Text descriptions also add considerable, well-organized detail and range maps that can be just as valuable for species identification. To find a species quickly, birders can consult the indexes – one for common names and one for scientific names. Several useful resources are also included, such as a birding glossary, an extensive bibliography, and a list of local, regional, and international organizations that can provide more information about the area’s birds. India and its neighbors constitute a region rich in culture, history, and nature, and birders will certainly want a thorough field guide to consult. A Photographic Guide to the Birds of India may not be the best guide choice for every birder, but it is certainly a good option for casual birders or beginners who hope to learn more about India’s birds.

Best Surprise: Abundance and threatened/endangered codes easily indicate each species’ conservation status.
What’s Missing: While 668 species are covered, this is only half of the 1,300+ birds recorded in the region.

Birds of Malaysia & Singapore

Publisher: Princeton University Press
Publication Date: 2020
Bird Artwork: Illustrations
Pages: 396
Portability: Good

Be Your Own Birder’s Thoughts: A richly diverse and profoundly exotic region, Malaysia and Singapore are filled with stunning birds it would be any birder’s dream to see, and a thorough, outstanding field guide is essential for proper identification. Birds of Malaysia & Singapore is just such a guide, covering all the 829 officially recorded birds in the region with exquisite detail. The inside covers feature detailed maps, and the graphic index of birds (pages 2-15) provides a fast reference to birds found in general habitats, including mountains, forests, rivers, urban areas, and more. The guide’s introduction discusses the region’s habitats, avian ecology, migration, conservation, and other topics, all keenly focused on the area. A helpful list of birding organizations is included. The bird species accounts themselves are finely detailed, with concise language and boldface headings to aid identification. Range is outlined in text both globally where applicable as well as within the region. The illustration plates are beautifully colored and appropriately detailed, with closeups, multiple plumages, different genders, and age variations where necessary. Visiting birders will particularly like the key birding sites lists (pages 372-381), complete with maps, for planning the ultimate birding tour of Malaysia and Singapore.

Best Surprise: Detailed birding sites list of 35 hotspots includes habitat types, specialty birds, and other visiting tips.
What’s Missing: No range maps for individual species, though range and habitat details are discussed in the text.

Birds of Mongolia

Publisher: Princeton University Press
Publication Date: 2019
Bird Artwork: Illustrations
Pages: 280
Portability: Excellent

Be Your Own Birder’s Thoughts: Mongolia is not easily reached or conveniently explored, but Birds of Mongolia is an easy and convenient field guide to help identify more than 500 species in the region. A thorough reference, the book covers all the country’s resident, migrant, and commonly vagrant birds. Before diving in to the species accounts, however, the introduction covers the region’s birding history, unusual geography, ecological zones, key habitats, and conservation challenges to orient readers to the rich avifauna Mongolia presents. Especially useful is the “Birdwatching in Mongolia” section (pages 30-35), which includes tips on visiting the region, getting around, hiring guides, and top birding sites. The species accounts are concise but detailed, including key features for proper identification as well as local and regional status, with full-color range maps on the outer margin so they are easy to see. Illustrations are crisp and colorful, showing birds in typical postures and including different ages and genders where appropriate, with similar species grouped and referenced for easy comparison. The guide’s index includes both common and scientific names. In a region largely unexplored but becoming highly coveted by birders, Mongolia presents unique birding opportunities and challenges, and Birds of Mongolia can help birders make the most of every chance they have to see and identify the region’s amazing birds.

Best Surprise: Birdwatching in Mongolia introduction provides frank and informative tips for birders visiting the region.
What’s Missing: Lacks any checklist or checkbox options for birders to keep track of their sightings or records.