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Bird Families of the World

The books are listed by publication date with the most recent at the top.

OUP pages on the site

Birds of the Western Palearctic

Handbook of Australian, New Zealand, and Antarctic Birds

Handbook of the Birds of India and Pakistan

Other field guides and h/books

Oxford Ornithology Series

Avian Biology Series

Threatened Birds (India)

Images of Asia (Birds)

Ecology & Evolution Series

Biology of Habitats Series

Techniques in Ecology & Conservation

Other bird related books

Pelicans, Cormorants, and their Relatives: Pelecanidae, Sulidae, Phalacrocoracidae, Anhingidae, Fregatidae, Phaethontidae

J. Bryan Nelson

Black-and-white drawings: John Busby

Oxford University Press

2006

680 pages, 12 colour plates, 159 halftones, 62 maps

This volume comprises 5 general chapters on the biology, feeding ecology, breeding behaviour, evolutionary relationships, and conservation of the birds in the families covered; 12 specially commissioned colour plates showing adults of all species and many juveniles, immatures and subspecies; 159 black-and-white drawings illustrating special features and behaviour; descriptions of each individual species.

Herons

James A. Kushlan and James A. Hancock

Oxford University Press

2005

456 pages, numerous maps, halftones and colour plates

This volume includes 6 general chapters on the biology, feeding ecology, breeding behaviour, evolutionary relationships, and conservation of the birds in the family. The second section provides descriptions of each of the 60 species of herons, egrets and bittern, including appearance, weights, and measurements; field characters; voice; habitat and food; breeding behaviour; life cycle; and range and status (with distribution map). The book includes 8 specially commissioned colour plates by David Thelwell, showing adults of all species and many juveniles, immatures and subspecies, and 65 black-and-white drawings illustrating special features and behaviour.

Ducks, Geese, and Swans

Janet Kear

Oxford University Press

2005

832 pages, numerous colour plates, maps, tables and line drawings

The most authoritative and up-to-date survey available of this massive and well-known family of birds.

"Ducks, Geese and Swans begins with eight chapters giving an overview of the family, their taxonomy and evolution, feeding ecology, breeding strategies, social behaviour, movements and migrations, population dynamics, and conservation and management, followed by accounts of 165 species, written by a team of expert wildfowl specialists, describing each bird in its natural state and summarizing the published literature and recent research. Complementing the accounts are thirty specially commissioned colour plates by Mark Hulme, along with numerous black and white drawings illustrating behaviours, plus distribution maps for each species."

The Cuckoos

Robert B. Payne and Michael D. Sorensen

Oxford University Press

2005

644 pages, numerous colour plates, halftones, maps, and line figures

The most up-to-date and comprehensive study of this most fascinating family of birds. Contains much new and previously unpublished data, including a complete evolutionary tree of cuckoo species based on molecular genetics and a new analysis of species based on songs. Provides information on the breeding biology and life histories of all cuckoo species.

" In The Cuckoos , Robert B. Payne presents a new evolutionary history of the family based on molecular genetics, and uses the family tree to explore the origins and diversity of their behaviour. He traces details of the cuckoos' biology to their original sources, includes descriptions of previously unpublished field observations, and reveals new comparisons of songs showing previously overlooked cuckoo species. Lavishly illustrated with specially commissioned colour plates and numerous maps, halftones, and line drawings, The Cuckoos provides the most comprehensive and up-to-date account of this family yet available."

The Hawaiian Honeycreepers: Drepanidinae

H. Douglas Pratt, Jack Jeffrey, Shelia Conant

Oxford University Press

2005

361 pages, numerous halftones, colour plates, maps and line drawings

This volume comprises 10 general chapters on the biology, feeding ecology, breeding behaviour, evolutionary relationships, and conservation of the birds in the family. There are 9 specially commissioned colour plates showing adults of all species and many juveniles, immatures and subspecies and 164 black-and-white drawings illustrating special features and behaviour. Includes descriptions of each species individually, including appearance, weights, and measurements; field characters; voice; habitat and food; breeding behaviour; life cycle; and range and status (with distribution map). This provides the most comprehensive and up-to-date species-level information available.

"The Hawaiian Honeycreepers are typified by nectar feeding, their bright colouration, and canary-like songs. They are considered one of the finest examples of adaptive radiation, even more diverse than Darwin's Galapagos finches, as a wide array of different species has evolved in all the different niches provided by the Hawaiian archipelago. The book will therefore be of interest to evolutionary biologists and ecologists, as well as professional ornithologists and amateur bird watchers. As with the other books in the Bird Family of the World series, the work is divided into two main sections. Part I is an overview of the Hawaiian Honeycreeper evolution and natural history and Part II comprises accounts of each species."

The Grebes

Jon Fjeldsa

Oxford University Press

2004

264 pages, numerous line illustrations, 16pp colour plates, and 31 maps

The first section of this volume includes 4 general chapters on the biology, feeding ecology, breeding behaviour, evolutionary relationships, and conservation of the birds in the family. The second section provides descriptions of each species individually, including appearance, weights, and measurements; field characters; voice; habitat and food; breeding behaviour; life cycle; and range and status (with distribution map).

The book includes 8 colour plates showing adults of all species and many juveniles, immatures and, subspecies and 116 black-and-white drawings illustrating special features and behaviour.

Albatrosses and Petrels Across the World

Michael de L. Brooke

Oxford University Press

2004

518 pages, 32pp colour plates, numerous halftones and maps

Provides the most comprehensive and up-to-date species-level information available on this family of birds. Introductory general chapters cover the biology, feeding ecology, breeding behaviour, evolutionary relationships, and conservation of the birds in the family. These are followed by accounts of each of the 125 species of albatross and petrel, including weights and measurements, field characters, voice, habitat and food, breeding behaviour, life cycle, and range and status. The book includes 16 colour plates by John Cox showing adults of all species and many juveniles, immatures, and subspecies, plus integrated species distribution maps and black-and-white line figures.

The Bowerbirds: Ptilonorhynchidae

Clifford Frith and Dawn Frith

Oxford University Press

2004

532 pages, 8 colour plates, 77 b/w halftones, and 26 maps

The first section of this volume comprises 7 general chapters on the biology, feeding ecology, breeding behaviour, evolutionary relationships, and conservation of the birds in the family. The second section provides descriptions of each species individually, including appearance, weights, and measurements; field characters; voice; habitat and food; breeding behaviour; life cycle; and range and status (with distribution map). This provides the most comprehensive and up-to-date species-level information available. The text is supported by 6 specially commissioned colour plates by Eustace Barnes, showing adults of all species and many juveniles, immatures and subspecies, 2 plates of colour photographs and many line drawings illustrating special features and behaviour.

Ratites and Tinamous:Tinamidae, Rheidae, Dromaiidae, Casuariidae, Apterygidae, Struthionidae

Stephen Davies

Oxford University Press

2002

336 pages, 12 colour plates, numerous maps and tables

"The book covers the evolution, biology and natural history of the group of flightless birds that includes ostriches, emus, cassowaries and kiwis - the Ratites and their relatives, the Tinamous. It reviews the scientific studies that have been made of their ecology, behaviour, physiology, husbandary, evolution, mythology and conservation. Each of the 55 species is described in detail, with maps of the present known distribution, accounts their food and nesting habits, calls, field identification, habitat and relationship with humans, including farming. It is the first such comprehensive account of the groups since 1877, and the first to bring together comprehensive information about the tinamous, little known birds of the America. It reviews the long debated subject of the evolution of these groups, highlighting new evidence that has turned many old theories on their head."

Toucans, Barbets, and Honeyguides: Ramphastidae, Capitonidae and Indicatoridae

Lester Short and Jennifer Horne

Oxford University Press

2001

630 pages, 80pp colour plates, numerous maps and line illustrations

"This book covers in unmatched detail the life history, relationships, biology, and conservation of all the world's toucans, barbets, and honeyguides. These number 133 species, found in tropical regions around the world. The toucans are especially well-known because of their dramatic bills and their association with the Amazon rainforest. The authors have been working with these birds for over 20 years, and their knowledge and expertise in these groups is unrivalled. Much of the information in this book has never previously been published."

Nightjars and their Allies: The Caprimulgiformes

D.T. Holyoak

Oxford University Press

2001

796 pages, 23 colour plates, numerous halftones, line drawings and maps

This book includes general, introductory chapters which review evidence about the group's evolutionary ancestry and place the birds' distributions, behaviour and physiology in an evolutionary context. The second section provides a comprehensive study of the 118 species giving details of coloration, plumage, moults, geographical variation, body measurements, habitats, behaviour, conservation, and evolution. The 23 superb plates by Martin Woodcock illustrate all the species, with behaviour and subtle variations depicted by delicate halftone drawings.

The Auks

Anthony J. Gaston, Ian L. Jones & Ian Lewington

Oxford University Press

1998

349 pages, 8 colour plates, black and white photographs, 44 line drawings, maps

A study of the entire Auk family. The first part of the book comprises general chapters on Auks and their world, systematics and evolution, distribution and biogeography, Auks in ecosystems, social behaviour, chick development and the transition from land to sea and populations and conservation. The second part comprises individual species accounts. All species are illustrated in new colour plates by Ian Lewington especially commissioned for this volume.

Birds of Paradise: Paradisaeidae

Clifford B. Frith and Bruce M. Beehler

Oxford University Press

1998

676 pages, 15 plates, numerous halftones and line figures

The first comprehensive and systematic treatment of the entire family. Introductory chapters provide an overview of the biology, ecology, and history of the group. This section also includes chapters on conservation and the role of the birds in human culture. The second part of the book consists of accounts of the 42 species of birds of paradise, describing their plumage, size, habitat, distribution, and behaviour in detail and accompanied by distribution maps and sonograms. 12 colour plates by William T. Cooper, one of the world's most acclaimed bird artists, illustrate all the species, their known hybrids, and many juveniles and sub-species. Fine line provide a record of how the birds use their famous ornaments during reproductive behaviour.

Fairy-Wrens and Grasswrens: Maluridae

Ian Rowley and Eleanor Russell

Oxford University Press

1997

296 pages, 8 colour plates, numerous line drawings, maps

The opening general chapters describe the taxonomy, evolution, biology, behaviour, and conservation. These chapters are include black-and-white drawings showing typical behaviour, as well summary graphs and tables. The second section provides accounts of the 25 species, each one giving comprehensive information on the bird in its natural state. Distribution maps and sonograms are included. All species are fully illustrated in specially commissioned colour plates by Peter Marsack.

Hornbills

Alan Kemp

Oxford University Press

1995

320 pages, 14 colour plates, 24 line drawings, 56 maps

This is the first comprehensive study of the 54 species of Hornbills. There are general chapters on the world of hornbills, the design of hornbills, non-breeding behaviour and biology, breeding biology, relationships and evolution of hornbills and conservation. Individual species descriptions include information on range, status and distribution, The accompanying colour plates by Martin Woodcock show adult and juvenile birds for each species and subspecies.

The Megapodes

Daryl N. Jones, René W.R.J. Dekker & Cees S. Roselaar

Oxford University Press

1995

262 pages, 8 colour plates, 15 line drawings, 23 maps

This work describes the 22 species of Megapodes that are found in Australia, Papua New Guinea, Indonesia, The Philippines, and some Pacific islands. As well as full species descriptions, there are general chapters on taxonomy and relationships, distribution, biogeography, speciation, general biology and behaviour, Megapode incubation sites, ecophysiology and adaptations, reproductive behaviour and mating systems, evolution of megapode incubation strategies and conservation. The 8 colour plates illustrate adult and juvenile birds.

The Penguins

Tony D. Williams

Oxford University Press

1995

352 pages, 8 colour plates, 40 line drawings, 21 maps

This volume describes the 17 species of Penguins. Seven chapters cover origins and evolution, breeding biology and moult, population structure and dynamics, behaviour, foraging ecology, physiology, conservation and threats to penguin populations. These are followed by detailed species accounts and eight colour plates showing adult and immature birds.