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The Bottom Line:

Because of their pelagic nature, seabirds are some of the most mysterious birds in the world, as well as some of the most sought after target birds. In Hawaii, birders can enjoy amazing varieties and stupendous populations of seabirds, and Hawaiian Birds of the Sea provides intimate insights about these winged wonders. Whether birders have the opportunity to visit the islands or not, the remarkable photography and personable text of this book is a beautiful way to gain familiarity with Hawaiian seabirds.

Pros:

• Stunning photos offer intimate views of seabirds and include informative captions.
• Text is casually written for readability, but includes knowledgeable anecdotes, trivia and insights to inspire a passion for seabirds.
• Includes practical information, including an archipelago map, visiting recommendations, photography tips and resources for further study.

Cons:

• Lacks range maps but briefly discusses where birds can be found in individual profiles.
• Not suitable as a field guide or for field use in either scope or construction, but is not intended solely for identification but also to offer an inspirational and informative look at Hawaii's seabirds.

Description:

• Title: Hawaiian Birds of the Sea: Na Manu Kai
• Author: Robert J. Shallenberger
• Publisher: University of Hawai'i Press
• Publication Date: November 2009
• Format: Softcover
• Page Count: 120
• ISBN: 978-0-8248-3403-6
• Price: $21.99 (USD)

Review – Hawaiian Birds of the Sea

Hawaii can be a dream birding destination, but birders never need to set foot on the islands to see some of the region's most amazing birds – the seabirds that call Hawaii home.

Hawaiian Birds of the Sea is an intimate, extraordinary look at Hawaii's 23 species of seabirds, from albatrosses, shearwaters and petrels to tropicbirds, boobies and more. And look birders will – at more than 115 large, clear photos of the seabirds, captured not only in exquisite flight shots but also in a range of behaviors casual birders rarely glimpse, including on the nest, tending chicks and actively foraging. To provide context, additional photos of other Hawaiian marine life are included, such as spinner dolphins, monk seals and green sea turtles. Each photo is accompanied by an informative caption, and together the text and photos paint a vivid image of Hawaii's pelagic avifauna.

Each bird is discussed in detail, but without academic language that could turn the most beautiful bird dull and drab. Author Robert J. Shallenberger has a lifetime of experience with Hawaii's seabirds to draw upon, from his Ph.D. work to years of managing national wildlife refuges and being intimately involved with different seabirds and their conservation. His anecdotes and personal insights are conveyed in a delightfully casual tone while still imparting informational details about each species. Each profile, though brief, includes information such as:

• Common and scientific names
• Basic appearance
• Overall status and population in Hawaii
• General behavior
• General range distribution in Hawaii
• Nesting and brooding behavior
• Dietary preferences
• Unique vocalizations

Exact details in each profile vary, but even with such brief text, Shallenberger manages to convey surprisingly complete overviews of each bird. His anecdotes add special flair, such as the hazards of banding irritable masked boobies or the desire to play matchmaker with short-tailed albatrosses. This information provides a good natural history for Hawaiian seabirds, but because the individual profiles lack mention of specific diagnostic markings, bird measurements or exclusive range maps, the book is not intended as a field guide.

A map of the Hawaiian archipelago is included, offering a good geographic reference for islands and bird ranges mentioned in the text. General seabird information and trivia is part of the book's introduction, and after the bird profiles, additional brief chapters cover seabirds' cultural connections to Hawaii's early Polynesian settlers as well as the natural and artificial conservation challenges that Hawaiian seabirds face. Of special interest to birders will be the tips for observing Hawaii's seabirds, including the author's recommended birding hotspots (pages 95-96), photography tips for capturing the true essence of seabirds (pages 99-100) and a list of recommended resources for further study (page 107). To keep track of seabird sightings, a table of all the birds is included as well (pages 104-105).

In every picture and paragraph of Hawaiian Birds of the Sea, Shallenberger's enthusiasm for these pelagic birds soars. He writes, "my hope for this book is to share my fascination with Hawaii's seabirds, both in words and in photographs. If it piques your curiosity enough to visit a seabird colony, then I will have been successful." Any birder will be thus inspired after reading this book, not only to visit seabird colonies and better appreciate these birds, but to aid in their conservation so more people will have the opportunity to enjoy the birds in generations to come.



Photo – Red-Footed Booby © Mike's Birds

Disclosure: A review copy was provided by the publisher. For more information, please see our Ethics Policy.