The Malagasy region contains one of the most extraordinary concentrations of biodiversity in the world. Its recognition as a zoogeographic region in its own right has recently been confirmed, and, all taxa combined, the region was found to hold the second most distinct assemblage of vertebrates in the world after the Australian region, despite being the smallest of them all.

This new field guide from the Helm Field Guides series covers the whole of the Malagasy region, which comprises the unique island of Madagascar and the various islands and archipelagos of the Indian Ocean, including the Seychelles, Comoros, and Mascarenes (Mauritius, Réunion, and Rodrigues). Every resident and migrant species is covered in full detail with a color distribution map for each species. Vagrants are also treated in detail, and all species are illustrated on a beautiful series of 124 color plates, with artwork from John Gale and Brian Small. Conveniently, the plates have been arranged so that all the key species of the various archipelagos are placed together in sections.

This is a major work of reference on the birds of the region and will remain the standard text for many years to come.

Frank Hawkins is a conservation biologist and policy advisor with governments and local communities in Africa and around the world. He is currently CEO of IUCN's Washington, D.C., office.

Roger Safford is Senior Program Manager at BirdLife International in Cambridge, UK.

Adrian Skerrett has lived and worked in Seychelles for much of his life.

All three authors collectively have an unrivalled knowledge of the region's avifauna and have authored many publications on the birds of the Malagasy region.

"I was fortunate to have a pre-publication copy on my recent trip to Madagascar. It's surely the best and most up-to-date bird field guide out there, with excellent discussions of topics beyond identification. Buy it and take it with you!" - Robert. S. Ridgely, Rainforest Trust

"Twitchers bound for . . . Madagascar can enjoy Helm Field Guides' new additions . . . Helm's exquisite eye for detail and intricate illustrations - hitting that sweet spot between art and practicality - make these welcome additions. A must-have for any globetrotting birders." - Wanderlust

"A MUST have for anyone with an interest in the birds of the region!" - The Birdbooker Report