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The Birds of Africa (Poyser)

"These volumes are being acclaimed as the authority on the avifauna of Africa; they will remain as such for many years to come. The quality of the text and the beauty of the plates will assure them pride of place on the shelves of ornithologists and bird-watchers everywhere."

The Birds Of Africa series was published by Princeton University Press in the US.

Africa

- Africa

For the US edition of the Birds Of Africa series see:

- Birds Of Africa (Princeton)

For a Birds Of Africa series published between 1896 and 1912 see:

- Birds Of Africa (G.E. Shelley)

The Birds of Africa, Volume VII: Sparrows to Buntings

Editors: C Hilary Fry and Stuart Keith

Poyser

2004

"This is the final volume in the Birds of Africa series - looking at the rich avifauna of the world's second largest continent. Volume VII treats the remainder of the passerine families of Africa and various offshore islands, covering the sparrows, weavers, whydahs, waxbills, finches and buntings. Like its predecessors, this book boasts an exhaustively researched and referenced text, distilling all available data on the identification, ecology, distribution, behaviour and status of the species covered. Martin Woodcock's colour identification plates are complemented by a wealth of line drawings by Ian Willis which illustrate details of Africa's birdlife such as weaver nest structure and Ploceidae display postures."

The Birds of Africa, Volume VI: Picathartes to Oxpeckers

Editors: C Hilary Fry and Stuart Keith

Poyser

2000

"This is the sixth volume in a set of seven, follows the standard taxonomic sequence and deals with songbirds from the babblers to starlings. A new introduction brings the reader up-to-date with recent developments in the series and includes an essay on aspects of biogeography illustrated through African birds. Overviews of the families are followed by genus summaries (with associated superspecies maps, where appropriate) and the species accounts themselves, organized under standard heading: Range and Status, Description, Field Characters, Voice, General Habits, Food, Breeding Habits, and Key References. Each species has a distribution map and many are illustrated with line drawings by Ian Willis showing nests and behavior. There are 36 superb color plates by Martin Woodcock that illustrate all the plumages of all species covered in the volume."

The Birds of Africa, Volume V: Thrushes to Puffback Flycatchers

Editors: Emil K Urban, C Hilary Fry and Stuart Keith

Poyser

1997

"Volume V is the second of four volumes to deal with the Passerine birds of the continent. The families treated fall into the following groups: thrushes, Old World warblers, Old World flycatchers, monarch flycatchers wattle-eyes and puffback flycatchers. The editors and artists have worked closely with nine other authors - all acknowledged experts on their bird families - to produce a superb reference in which encyclopedic texts on every species are complemented by accurate and detailed paintings and drawings of the birds themselves."

The Birds of Africa, Volume IV: Broadbills to Chats

Editors: Stuart Keith, Emil K Urban and C Hilary Fry

Poyser

1992

"This definitive and authoritative volume covers the first 312 of the 1,200 or so passerine species which occur in continental Africa and the outlying islands. As in the first three volumes, each breeding species receives full coverage with sections on range and status, description, voice, general habits, food, and breeding biology. Non-breeding visitors are treated more briefly. The text concentrates on the bird's status and biology while in Africa. Range maps are given for each bird and super species maps are shown where appropriate. Large color plates, illustrated by Martin Woodcock, show the birds and adopt a more formal, field-guide style to emphasize the identification points of the more difficult groups. Ian Willis' line drawings elaborate on displays and patterns of behavior described in the text. The beauty and scholarship of this now standard reference on African birds must ensure it a place on every ornithologist's bookshelf."

The Birds of Africa, Volume III: Parrots to Woodpeckers

Editors: C Hilary Fry, Stuart Keith and Emil K Urban

Poyser

1988

"This volume completes the non-passerines, dealing with all species occurring on the continent - residents and visitors alike - in the following families: parrots, turacos, cuckoos, owls, nightjars, swifts, colies, kingfishers and their allies, and woodpeckers and their allies. All are illustrated, and all known biological information is included."

The Birds of Africa, Volume II: Gamebirds to Pigeons

Editors: Emil K Urban, C Hilary Fry and Stuart Keith

Poyser

1986

"The second volume in this series continues the high standards set by the first. The three editors have followed the vision of the late Leslie Brown and organized a team of internationally known experts to help them produce an up-to-date and comprehensive work. This volume covers all birds found in Africa, from gamebirds to pigeons. In order to do justice to the ever increasing volume of publications on African birds and the wealth of material collated by the contributors, and to fulfil the aim of illustrating all main plumages of every species, the series has been expanded to six volumes, the first three to cover the non-passerines and the last three the passerines. As in Volume I, all species of birds found in Africa are covered, including migrants and vagrants. Resident birds are treated in full detail, with sections on their range and status, description, field characters, voice, general behaviour, food and breeding biology. Visitors are also given extensive coverage, with emphasis on their status and behaviour within Africa."

The Birds of Africa, Volume I: Ostriches to Falcons

Editors: Leslie H Brown, Emil K Urban and Kenneth B Newman

Poyser

1982 (reprint 2002)