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The Birds of Africa (Princeton)

"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 Poyser in the UK.

Africa

- Africa

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

- Birds Of Africa (Poyser)

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

Princeton University Press

2004

"By far the most authoritative and comprehensive work ever published on the birds of Africa, this seventh and final volume in the set covers more than 340 species, from sparrows to buntings. 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. Full bibliographies, acoustic references, and indexes complete this marvelous work of reference."

The Birds of Africa, Volume VI: Picathartes to Oxpeckers

Editors: C Hilary Fry and Stuart Keith

Princeton University Press

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. Full references to written and sound recorded material complete this authoritative coverage."

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

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

Princeton University Press

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. Full bibliographies, acoustic references and indexes complete this marvelous reference."

The Birds of Africa, Volume IV: Broadbills to Chats

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

Princeton University Press

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

Princeton University Press

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 passerines (songbirds) are covered in the later four volumes."

The Birds of Africa, Volume II: Gamebirds to Pigeons

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

Princeton University Press

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 Newman

Princeton University Press

1982

"This volume is the first of a set of seven which, when complete, will cover the entire avifauna of Africa, one of the most varied and interesting in the world. While many regional guides to African birds exist, this will be the first comprehensive guide to the bird life of the continent as a whole, including North Africa. The entire set covers all species of birds found in Africa, including migrants from the Palearctic and vagrants. Resident birds are described 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."