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The encyclopedias are arranged chronologically with the most recently published at the top.

The Complete Illustrated Encyclopedia of Birds of the World

David Alderton

3rd edition?

2012

"This is a comprehensive visual encyclopedia of the birds of America, Europe, Africa, Asia, Australia and the Polar regions, with expert analysis of size, shape, plumage, habitat, breeding, nests, eggs and food. The extensive illustrated directory includes puffins, terns, egrets, sunbirds, touracos, buzzards, blackbirds, waxbills, lovebirds, hawk-headed parrots, Eurasian spoonbills, double-wattled cassowaries and many more. It is fully illustrated throughout with over 1800 detailed artworks and photographs, including distribution maps. A natural history section describes the different habitats, the evolution of birds, and how they use flight, habitat, predatory instincts and migration to survive in their environment, as well as offering tips on birdwatching. This comprehensive illustrated encyclopedia of birds of the world presents a fantastic visual guide to many of the major avian species and families, from America's tiniest insect-catchers to the giant, flightless species still living on the African plains."

The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Birds of Britain, Europe and Africa

David Alderton

2011

"The habitats of Great Britain, Europe and Africa boast some of the most interesting and adaptable members of the avian world. This accessible and fully illustrated guide presents some of the rare and familiar species of these lands. From the tiny malachite sunbird to the enormous ostrich; from the grace of a mute swan to the striking casque of an African crowned hornbill - each has the power to enthrall. An expert, accessible introduction explains how birds evolved, bird behaviour, practical tips on fieldcraft, and the different habitats in which birds can be found. A directory of over 560 species features intricate colour artworks, and details everything from variable plumage to bill shapes, distribution, size, food, eggs and nests. The birds are grouped by habitat and type - including oceanic, estuarine, freshwater, woodland, open country and urban species. With over 535 individual colour illustrations and photographs, this comprehensive visual encyclopedia is a classic reference for all bird enthusiasts."

The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Birds

2011

"From hummingbirds weighing less than a coin to monkey-eating eagles this is a unique celebration of birds, photographed and studied in their natural environments around the world. Explore the complete bird story: from their origins to up-to-date information on flight, anatomy, feeding, communication, breeding, habitat, migrations and life cycles. Spectacular features on the most impressive birds, plus a huge catalogue that profiles nearly fifteen hundred different species makes this a must-have for every bird enthusiast."

The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Animals, Birds & Fish of the British Isles

Tom Jackson

2011

"The British Isles provide a temperate climate and rich feeding ground for many species of animal, bird and fish. From the puffins of the Scilly Isles to the graceful red deer roaming the Scottish highlands, there is a surprisingly diversity of life in this small part of the world. This comprehensive guide provides essential information about British habitats and the creatures found in them, including mammals, amphibians and reptiles, freshwater and marine fish, and the many breeds of birds that visit and live on the islands. It details the physiology and anatomy of each species, together with fascinating information on their ecology and evolution, their senses, survival and reproductive habits. Animals, birds and fish are listed in three separate directories, and entries are illustrated with accurate watercolour artworks. There is an at-a-glance information box for each featured creature, with information about its distribution and habitat, food, size, breeding and rare or common status. The accompanying commentaries have been provided by expert naturalists and include tips for identification and notes on the species' habits and behaviour. With entries for more than 450 creatures, and more than 1000 illustrations, maps and photographs, this is a colourful, easy-to-use and highly informative book that will be enjoyed and referred to again and again by all nature lovers."

The Encyclopedia of Birds

Editor: Christopher Perrins

2009

"he Encyclopedia of Birds is the definitive single-volume guide to the birds of the world. Written by a team of renowned biologists and conservationists, it offers accessible coverage of every family - their form and function, distribution, diet, social behaviour, and breeding biology - giving special attention to environmental and conservation issues. The Encyclopedia's clear, readable text is supplemented by a wealth of photographs showing the wide diversity of birds in their natural habitat, as well as beautifully detailed illustrations depicting representative species in each family. In addition 'Factfile' panels throughout the book, with distribution maps and scale drawings, put key data at the reader's fingertips, ensuring that this comprehensive reference work will appeal to amateur birdwatchers and student and professional ornithologists alike."

The Princeton Encyclopedia of Birds

Editor: Christopher Perrins

2009

"The Princeton Encyclopedia of Birds is a comprehensive and lavishly illustrated reference to the world's birds. Accessibly written by renowned biologists and conservationists, and illustrated in color throughout, the book provides authoritative and systematic accounts of every bird family, covering form and function, distribution, diet, social behavior, breeding biology, and conservation and status. More than 1,000 superb color photos reveal the enormous diversity of birds in their natural habitats, from arctic tundra to tropical rain forest, and a wealth of beautifully detailed color and line illustrations depict representative species from each family and highlight characteristic behaviors. The main articles are complemented by detailed coverage of special topics, such as how ibises and spoonbills feed by touch, how pigeons find their way home, and how crows store food. And throughout the book, numerous "Factfile" panels with color distribution maps and scale drawings provide at-a-glance overviews of key data."

The Complete Illustrated Encyclopedia of Birds of the World

David Alderton

2nd edition?

2006

"This book is a comprehensive visual guide and reference source for over 1250 birds of America, Europe, Africa, Asia, Australia and the Polar regions, with expert analysis of size, shape, plumage, habitat, breeding, nests, eggs and food. It is illustrated throughout with over 1800 colour artworks, maps and photographs. A natural history section, featuring habitat artworks and tips on birdwatching, examines the evolution of birds and how they use flight, habitat, predatory instincts and migration to survive in their environment. This illustrated encyclopedia of birds of the world presents 1250 of the major avian species and families in existence. All birds are grouped by habitat and type - including oceanic, estuarine, freshwater, woodland, open country and urban species - with facts about plumage, bill shapes, distribution, size, food, eggs and nests. The life cycle and behaviour of birds is unravelled in a full-colour photographic natural history section, detailing anatomy, flight, feeding, pairing and nesting, plus the key types of avian habitats and the birds you are likely to encounter in them. There are also tips on birdwatching and fieldcraft, for those who want to get a closer look at these fascinating creatures."

The Encyclopedia of Birds (9 volume set)

2005

"The Encyclopedia of Birds nine-volume set presents a comprehensive look at the world's most interesting birds, showing their extreme diversity as well as common features including wings, feathers, and hollow bones. Highly illustrated with full-color photographs of birds in the wild and outstanding diagrams, this valuable reference offers concise, clearly organized information on birds, including physical features, diet, distribution, behavior, habitat, and more. A useful resource for students, researchers, and bird lovers alike."

The Complete Encyclopedia of Birds: Outlines the Variety of Breeds and Their Habitats from All Around the World

Vladimir Bejcek and Karel Stastny

2005

Birds of Great Britain, Europe and Africa: An Illustrated Encyclopedia and Birdwatching Guide

David Alderton

2004

"Finely illustrated guide to birds in Britain, Europe and Africa with detailed information on behaviour, size, habitat, nests and food. Birds are grouped by habitat - including seashore, freshwater, woodland and garden types. An accessible introduction explains how birds evolved, and examines the many aspects of their behaviour - from flight, food and mating rituals to nesting and migration."

The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Birds of the World

David Alderton

2004

"A beautifully illustrated guide to over 1000 birds from around the world, detailing distribution, habitat, size, feeding and nesting behaviour. An introduction covers the evolution of birds, their anatomy, common features, behaviour and geographical distribution. Practical tips on fieldcraft and birdwatching to help with observation and identification is also included."

The Encyclopedia of British Birds

Donald Campbell

2004

The New Encyclopedia of Birds

Editor: Christopher M. Perrins

2003

"The New Encyclopedia of Birds is the definitive single-volume guide to the birds of the world. Entries prepared by a team of renowned biologists and conservationists give a systematic account of every family, covering their form and function, distribution, diet, social behaviour, and breeding biology. With one-eighth of all bird species now under threat, special attention is given to environmental and conservation issues. The Encyclopedia's clear, readable text is supplemented by a wealth of photographs showing the wide diversity of birds in their natural habitat. In addition, beautifully detailed colour and line artworks depict representative species in each family and highlight characteristic behaviours. 'Factfile' panels throughout the book, with distribution maps and scale drawings, put key data at the reader's fingertips. A fully revised and updated successor to the same editor's acclaimed Encyclopedia of Birds (1990), this comprehensive reference work will appeal both to the amateur birdwatcher and to the student of ornithology."

Firefly Encyclopedia of Birds

Editor: Christopher M. Perrins

2003

"Authoritative, easy-to-read essays explain mating rituals, historical significance, evolutionary development, and nesting habits. Organized alphabetically by Family, this comprehensive encyclopedia is illustrated with 2,000 color photographs and location maps. The text is lively, well researched, cleanly organized and completely understandable to nonscientific readers. A Fact File for each bird family lists the relevant data including species, genus, global distribution, habitat, plumage, voice, nest, egg descriptions, diet and conservation status. With contributions by a team of 100 distinguished zoologists, the Firefly Encyclopedia of Birds is a major reference work for all birders as well as students and naturalists."

Grzimek's Animal Life Encyclopedia, Volume 8: Birds I

Editor: Jerome A Jackson, Walter J Bock and Donna Olendorf

2002

"Covers the orders: Struthioniformes; Procellariiformes; Sphenisciformes; Gaviformes; Podicipediformes; Pelecaniformes; Ciconiiformes; Phoenicopteriformes; Falconiformes; Anseriformes; Galliformes; Opisthocomiformes."

Grzimek's Animal Life Encyclopedia, Volume 9: Birds II

Editor: Jerome A Jackson, Walter J Bock and Donna Olendorf

2002

"Covers the orders: Gruiformes; Charadriiformes; Pterocliformes; Columbiformes; Psittaciformes; Musophagiformes; Cucliformes; Strigiformes; Caprimulgiformes; Apodiformes; Caliiformes; Trogoniformes."

Grzimek's Animal Life Encyclopedia, Volume 10: Birds III

Editor: Jerome A Jackson, Walter J Bock and Donna Olendorf

2002

"Covers the orders: Coraciiformes; Piciformes; Passeriforme."

Grzimek's Animal Life Encyclopedia, Volume 11: Birds IV

Editor: Jerome A Jackson, Walter J Bock and Donna Olendorf

2002

Covers 43 miscellaneous families of birds not covered in the other 3 volumes related to birds.

The Encyclopedia of British Birds

Donald Campbell

1999

Encyclopedia of Birds: A Comprehensive Illustrated Guide by International Experts

Editor: Joseph Forshaw

1998

"This beautifully illustrated book, with more than 200 magnificent color photographs and 150 original paintings, maps, and diagrams, presents an up-to-date and comprehensive survey of the natural history of birds. The authoritative text has been written by the world's leading ornithologists and includes the most recent scientific findings in a stimulating presentation."

The Cambridge Encyclopedia of Ornithology

Editor: M. Brooke and T. Birkhead

1991

"Comprehensive encyclopedia, arranged by subject rather than alphabetically, covering all aspects of avian science. With contributions from an international team of ornithologists, it covers anatomy and physiology, movement, birds ancient to modern, daily activities of birds, distribution, migration and navigation, populations, breeding, behaviour, and relationships with man, including conservation."

The Encyclopedia of Birds

Editor: Christopher M. Perrins and Alex L.A. Middleton

1985