Melanesia harbors an amazing range of endemic bird species and subspecies, many of which are poorly known. Birds of Melanesia is the first comprehensive field guide to all 501 species found in the Bismarck Archipelago, Bougainville, the Solomons, Vanuatu, and New Caledonia. This beautifully illustrated guide features 86 color plates that depict almost every species--including many endemic subspecies--and many of the plates are arranged by island group for easy reference. Detailed species accounts describe key identification features and distribution, as well as key features for all subspecies. Distribution bars are also given for all species except extreme vagrants.

- Covers all 501 species recorded in Melanesia, 204 of which are endemic

- Features 86 color plates that illustrate almost every species

- Provides detailed species accounts

- Includes distribution bars for all species except extreme vagrants

Guy Dutson is an ornithologist and tour leader. He is the world's leading authority on the birds of the southwest Pacific, where he has described or rediscovered several species.