Product Description

This guide uses an integrated photographic approach to profile the extraordinary range of birds found in the Western Palearctic region. With its comprehensive coverage, easy-to-use layout and visual impact, it should appeal to bird enthusiasts of all ages and levels of experience. The book opens with an introduction that offers a portrait of birds and their habitats. Covering evolution, anatomy and behaviour, it also describes how birds have adapted to different environments - from wetlands and rocky coasts to woodland and urban gardens. The 320 species most commonly seen in Britain and Europe have full-page coverage, comprising of a large photograph of each bird in its most frequently observed plumage with supporting images showing the most important plumage variations: adult/juvenile; male/female; and winter/summer. Additional illustrations reveal the characteristic appearance of each bird in flight, while "in situ" views portray a range of behaviours and habits. Similar-looking species and subspecies are also pictured, for comparison. In each species profile, key features are highlighted by annotation around each picture and further details of voice, nesting, feeding, migration, habitat, nomenclature, physical statistics, social grouping, behaviour, lifespan and conservation status are presented in jargon-free text. Distribution is shown in colour-coded maps. In addition to the main species, over 200 less common and peripheral birds are also illustrated and described, while a further 276 very rare and introduced species are concisely profiled.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #110602 in Books
• Published on: 2003-02-10
• Original language: English
• Binding: Hardcover
• 480 pages

About the Author
Rob Hume is a writer, editor, artist, identification expert, and bird tour leader, and is much in demand for his expertise on birds. Rob has worked for the RSPB for 23 years, and now edits the society's magazine, Birds.

Customer Reviews

Excellent reference book, visually fantastic
A solid, brick-like book, not one for carrying around in the field, but great for extra information and to pin down a specific identification. Easy to use and very clear - this has already become a firm favourite. Covering ecology as well as identification this book should be able to inform experts and beginners alike, without being boring or intimidating to either.

In keeping with the other RSPB guides, Complete Birds of Britain and Europe devotes a page to almost all British and European species, containing descriptive text, photographs and a line representation of the bird in flight. Male, female and juvenile are often depicted, with seasonal plumage and in flight pictures as well. An extensive checklist of much rarer species appears at the back.

The detail and authority of description exceeds that of other bird books, including the Collins guides. Rob Hume's efficiency in writing pocket books is evident here as he has used the same approach. The large pages are exploited to the limit and crammed full of information, but without feeling cluttered or inaccessible. However, where the RSPB books tower above their rivals is in the method of illustration. Large, clear photos are definitely my preference and the quality of photography is super, hence the top rating for the book - I haven't seen anything better.

the best (non pocket )reference book there is
An excellent guide to all European birds from Iceland to Israel plus all the vagrants that have visited. The best part of this book is that it has all photos. Some guide books have drawings or coloured illustrations which sometimes are far removed from the bird you want to identify. Having said that this is a hefty book and therefore is not much use in the field, the paperback is smaller and lighter but I prefer this even so. It has a lot of bird info at the front and is the best complete guide I have come across.

Brilliant for Identification

We come to expect quality books when they carry the RSPB name and logo and they do not let us down, my only slight quibble is that this particular book says on the front "UK's Best Selling field Guide." To my way of thinking it is a little large for a pocket guide. Carrying a camera field glasses is enough without a weighty book that you will struggle to get into a pocket.

Whether you are an armchair addict, or a twitcher of the first order, this guide and 70-minute CD are essential reference. The book and video introduce you to 800 species that are regularly and not so regularly found in Britain and Europe. The book contains beautiful photographs, including ones of the different plumages, both male, female and juvenile. There is information on habitat and virtually everything you need to know to obtain a true picture of each individual species.