Raffael Ayé, Manuel Schweizer, and Tobias Roth are ornithologists based at the University of Berne in Switzerland. They are experts on the birds of Central Asia, and their notable achievements include the discovery of the breeding grounds of the Large-billed Reed-warbler in Tajikistan.

Central Asia--a vast and remote area of steppe, semi-desert, and mountains separating Europe from eastern Asia--is home to a diversity of birds. Birds of Central Asia is the first-ever field guide to the avian population of this fascinating part of the world. From ground jays, larks, and raptors to warblers, nuthatches, and snowfinches, this comprehensive guide covers 627 species--including all residents, migrants, and vagrants--and 141 superb plates depict every species and many distinct plumages and races. This portable book contains important introductory sections on the land and its birds, and up-to-date color maps. The concise, authoritative text on facing pages highlights key identification features, such as status, voice, and habitat. Birds of Central Asia is indispensable for anyone interested in the birds of this remarkable and little-known region.

- First-ever field guide to the birds of Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and Afghanistan

- Covers 627 species, including all residents, migrants, and vagrants

- 141 superb plates depict every species and many distinct plumages and races

- Authoritative text on facing pages highlights key identification features, including status, voice, and habitat

- Up-to-date color maps for every species

- Important introductory sections introduce the land and its birds