A field guide entitled Burung-burung Pulau Paparan Sunda dan Wallacea di Kepulauan Indonesia was officially launched online on Monday (11/10). The book was adapted from the Second Edition of Birds of the Indonesian Archipelago (BoIA). During the launch, a discussion was held in which Bas van Balen (author), Pramana Yuda (editor and translator), and Dian Agista (Executive Director of Burung Indonesia) were present.
According to Bas van Balen, it took several stages to compile the book. First, using the revised BoIA, followed by a drafting process including naming the species in Indonesian. The third stage was to form a team of volunteers who serve as translators.
"The fourth and final stage was the layout, which was assisted by Soekarja Somadikarta, Pramana Yuda, and Boas Emmanuel," he said.
Van Balen further explained that the field guide has been updated in several aspects when compared to BoIA. Identification guidelines have been completed, particularly on highly similar species such as eagles, and the recently separated taxa. The taxon description has been adjusted to the actual state of birds. A new presentation format on the maps, like the ones implemented on Sunda Shelf, Wallacea and Nusa Tenggara, has been incorporated.
"This update also includes the naming of ten new species which had not been named in the previous edition of the book," he added.
Pramana Yuda, who is a lecturer at Atma Jaya University in Yogyakarta, said that 37 people were involved in the process of translating this book. According to him, many bird watchers were willing to volunteer to become translators, especially in the species description section.
“The submitted translations were exceptionally varied. Some volunteers went beyond translating; they also provided inputs and revisions on the original manuscript.”
He also stated that the process of translating this book was clear evidence of citizen science activities. According to him, volunteers who participate in the translation process can increase their self-confidence and be motivated to participate in bird conservation research and action.
On the same occasion, Dian Agista described that the Burung-burung Pulau Paparan Sunda dan Wallacea di Kepulauan Indonesia field guide was a collaboration of Burung Indonesia, VBN, BirdLife International, Oriental Bird Club, and March Conservation Fund. The book was published by Lynx Edicion—now renamed Alada—from Barcelona, Spain. "Because the publisher only printed on a trusted printing house in Barcelona, it posed its own challenges," he said.
The Burung-burung Pulau Paparan Sunda dan Wallacea di Kepulauan Indonesia field guide can be purchased on the Burungshop’s website, Instagram, and Tokopedia for IDR 300.000.