In this third edition, five regional consultants have undertaken a reassessment of all taxonomic data. In addition, the authorities for all newly described subspecies are given with full references. Introductory sections include a discussion of the relative attributes of the Biological Species Concept and the Phylogenetic Species Concept, which cause much confusion among birders but which are critical to our understanding of taxonomy and related issues, not least conservation. New developments in taxonomy are discussed, and areas highlighted where it appears that a new consensus is likely to emerge in the future.
Edward C Dickinson is the co-author of Birds of South-east Asia (Collins) and of Birds of the Philippines: Checklist (BOU) and Birds of the Philippines Field guide (OUP).