Haring Ibon-Birds in Focus, Inc. launched historic ornithology books All the Birds of the World and Birds of the Philippines at the online Manila International Book Fair last November 27, 2020.
Published by international press Lynx Edicions, All the Birds of the World was created for a broad public, from novice birders to expert ornithologists and anyone interested in the spectacular diversity of birds, with over 20,000 illustrations of bird species and subspecies, over 11,000 distribution maps, and all 3313 one-country endemic species marked.
“For the first time ever, you can contemplate all the birds of the world together in a single, easy-to-use volume with high-quality illustrations and updated distribution maps for all the species of the birds of the world,” says Dr. Josep del Hoyo, Senior Editor of All the Birds of the World and co-founder of Lynx Edicions.
On the volume’s cover is the iconic Philippine Eagle photograph “Ang Banog” by acclaimed wild bird photographer Alain Pascua, an opportunity that he considers as an honor not just for him, but for the Philippines as well. “Higit sa akin, ang pagkilalang ito sa Philippine Eagle, o Haring Ibon, ay isang malaking karangalan at tagumpay ng lahing Pilipino at ng bansang Pilipinas.” (“More than mine, this recognition of the Philippine Eagle, or Haring Ibon, is a great honor and victory for the Filipino people and our beloved Philippines.”)
Pascua, who is also the Undersecretary for Administration of the Department of Education (DepEd), has previously published his own coffee table book Haring Ibon – The Great Philippine Eagle which is the first publication that gives focus to the Philippines’ national bird.
Guidebook Birds of the Philippines by Desmond Allen, which captures in vivid illustrations the endemic, resident, and migratory birds found all over the archipelago, was also launched at the online event.
“This book, the Birds of the Philippines, is indeed very timely. It has been 20 years since our last field guide to the birds of the Philippines,” remarks Dr. Juan Carlos Gonzalez, professor of ornithology and Director of the Museum of Natural History at University of the Philippines-Los Baños. “It is quite interesting that this particular book comprises not only the list of birds in the Philippines but also highlights the inclusion of all the different subspecies that will be very useful in the field, and will help us in teaching ornithology in the Philippines.”
Notable Filipino scientists and special guests shared their support and expertise at the launch: Prof. Blas Tabaranza, Jr., Professor of Ornithology and President Emeritus of the Wildlife Conservation Society of the Philippines, Mr. Winfred Paler, President of the Wild Bird Photographers of the Philippines (WBPP), Mr. Mike Lu, President of the Wild Bird Club of the Philippines (WBCP), and Dr. Angel Alcala, Multi-awarded Biologist and National Scientist. Department of Education Secretary Leonor Briones also gave a special message at the end of the launch.
All the Birds of the World and Birds of the Philippines are monumental additions to the growing ornithology literature in the country. Both publications are now sold out, but they are available for pre-order at www.haringibon.com.
Image credits: Philippine Eagle Foundation