On this page

1950 to 1999

The guides and handbooks on this page were published between 1950 and 1999 and cover the birds of Great Britain and often the wider European or Western Palearctic region. The most recent books are at the top of the page.

- h/books & guides: 2000-2013
- h/books & guides: 1950-1999
- h/books & guides: 1900-1949
- h/books & guides: 1850-1899
- h/books & guides: 1800-1849
- h/books & guides: 1700-1799

Birds of Europe: With North Africa and the Middle East

Lars Jonsson

1999

"A highly illustrated guide covering all but a few of the Western Paleactic's breeding birds, and includes information on all regularly encountered vagrants."

Birds of Britain and North-West Europe

Chris Kightley, Steve Madge, and Dave Nurney

1998 (rev 2002)

"A pocket guide to the birds of Britain and Northwest Europe (Norway, Sweden, Denmark, Germany, the Czech Republic, Austria, Switzerland, France, Luxembourg, Belgium, the Netherlands, Britain and Ireland). 380 species are fully described, including all breeding species and all regular and scarce migrants. The text highlights the key features and information required to make quick and safe identifications. A plate is devoted to each species (in most cases) and all plumages regularly seen in the region are depicted. Similar species are compared to scale on double-page spreads."

Bill Oddie's Birds of Britain and Ireland

Bill Oddie

1998

"In this beginner's field guide, Oddie shows birdwatchers how to identify a wide variety of British birds - including over 200 common types as well as a further 55 species which are generally considered to be fairly rare in Britain."

Birds of Britain and Europe

John Gooders

Collins

1998

"A field guides illustrated with photographs that can be used to identify birds in the wild. Every species covered is comprehensively illustrated with specially chosen photographs, so that no matter what bird you see, whether male or female, adult or immature, there is a photograph. The text also covers details needed to confirm the identification, plus information on the biology of each species. There is also a distribution map for every species, showing where it occurs in Europe."

The Handbook of Bird Identification for Europe and the Western Palearctic

Mark Beaman and Steve Madge

Christopher Helm

1998

868 pages, 357 colour plates, 625 colour maps

"A bird identification guide that includes all of the nearly 900 species that have occurred in Europe and the Western Palearctic region. The species are organised by family, with each family section comprising an introduction followed by species accounts and colour plates for the species in the family. There are also colour distribution maps for 625 species."

The Handbook of Bird Identification for Europe and the Western Palearctic

Mark Beaman & Steve Madge

Princeton University Press

1998

"Drawing on their unrivaled field experience in Europe, the Middle East, and North Africa, authors Mark Beaman and Steve Madge have combined forces with some of Europe's finest bird artists to produce the region's most comprehensive guide ever. This is the first book to cover every species to have occurred in the region, including vagrants and accidentals - nearly nine hundred species in total. Color illustrations depict each bird and its main plumage stages and subspecies. An extensive text explains all aspects of identification, status, and habitat, while full-color maps within the text offer detailed distributional information. During the compilation of this book, Beaman and Madge traveled throughout the region, from Iceland and Siberia to the Cape Verde Islands, Egypt, and Georgia. Their field experience is reflected in the breadth and accuracy of the information presented in this guide and in the thorough treatment of difficult or little-known groups. The innovative design of the book makes it accessible to beginning and expert birdwatchers alike. The Handbook of Bird Identification for Europe and the Western Palearctic is the ultimate reference guide for every birdwatcher interested in the region."

The Birds of the Western Palearctic: Concise Edition

Robert Gillmor, Brian Hillcoat, C. S. Roselaar, Dorothy Vincent, D. I. M. Wallace, M. G. Wilson

Editors: D. W. Snow, C. M. Perrins

1998

From the text on the inside of the book cover:
"Here is the distilled esence of the definitive account of the birds of Europe, the Middle East, and North Africa - BWP, as it is generally known to thousands of users. The abridgement has been made by members of the original editorial team under the general supervision of Professor C.M. Perrins of Oxford, who has acted as Consultant Editor. Dr. D.W. Snow has condensed the original text with masterly skill, retaining all the essential information in a fraction of the space.

The Concise BWP also includes much significant new material. Accounts of more than eighty species has been added and the descriptions of field characters have been revised throughout. The population and distribution sections have been rewritten to take into account new information that has become available since BWP was published. The distribution maps have also been revised and brought up to date. They are now printed in full colour for maximum clarity, and hill shading has been added to indicate the relief.

More than 230 magnificent new colour plates have been specially commissioned for this edition to illustrate newly added species or to replace earlier paintings used in BWP. Where the original paintings have been retained, they are now reproduced using the latest electronic scanning techniques. For greater convenience, all plates now appear in the text.

Indexes in seven European languages are included in addition to the indexes of English and scientific names.

The Concise BWP is an essential reference book for all who are interested in the birds of Europe, whether at the professional level or as amateurs."

AA Field Guide to the Birds of Britain and Europe

Joyce Oates

1998

"A compact up-to-date guide to 530 species of bird found in Britain and Europe, with clear design, user-friendly factfiles and distribution maps. Special comparison spreads aim to aid the identification of easily confused species."

Birds of the British Isles

Jim Flegg

1998

"Up-to-date, factual and, above all, highly readable, Birds Of The British Isles is much more than a superbly illustrated field guide. From the initial introductory material on the identification, habitat, lifestyle and breeding patterns of birds in general, to the detailed studies of over 120 specific species, the book never ceases to fascinate and inform. Written by some of the best known ornithological experts under the general editorship of Dr Jim Flegg, an acknowledged authority on the subject, the text has been stunningly reinforced by the addition of over 350 colour photographs and drawings. Birds Of The British Isles is a product of thorough research and enthusiasm and will prove a valuable addition to any bird lover's library."

Birds: A Guide Book to British Birds

Jonathan Elphick

BBC Books

1997

"With information on 250 species, this is a guide to British birds which is intended for birdwatchers of all levels of experience, and covers identification, habitats, and birdwatching equipment and techniques. There are descriptions of all the birds, arranged in evolutionary order by family, and artwork which depicts different appearances in different seasons, as well as the bird in flight. A boxed section contains basic information in note form, on length, weight, habitat, movements, population and breeding habits."

The Shell Easy Bird Guide

Rob Hume

1997

"An easy-to-use birdwatcher's guide for both adults and children, covering the 190 commonest birds of Britain and Europe. This book includes descriptions of species, locator maps, size comparisons, habitats and season information. It also features information on many rare species."

Wings: Guide to British Birds

Dominic Couzens

1997

"A guide to the birds of Great Britain which combines identification information with illustrations showing habitats, behaviour and flight patterns. Resident and regular visitors are featured in a separate section. It includes a full species checklist."

Birds of the Countryside

Collins

1997

"An introduction to birds of the countryside. that covers most of the birds likely to be seen in the countryside either on a spread by themselves or as part of a habitat-based section. The black and white section covers subjects such as migration, reproduction and the anatomy of birds. There is also information on how to watch birds and how to protect them. Fold-out pages help immediate reference. The book is laminated so it can be used anywhere - in the rain or at the seaside - without the risk of spoiling it."

Birds in Winter

Collins

1997

"Collins Watch Guides are an indepth exploration of a small habitat or category of plants or animals. The goal is not to be exhaustive, but to educate the eye. The books explain how to interpret a habitat, how to spot the closer details and give hints on discovering the richness of life in your garden and the local countryside."

Wildlife of the Town

Collins

1997

"An introduction to the wildlife found in towns, this book covers many different animals which you might see in an urban environment, from swallows and house martins to spiders and foxes. The black and white section covers important subjects including the different seasons, food chains and helping birds. There is also information on how to watch wildlife in towns and collecting their tracks and signs."

Pocket Reference Guides: Birds

Mike Lambert and Alan Pearson

1997

The Macmillan Birder's Guide to European and Middle Eastern Birds

Alan Harris, Hadoram Shirihai and David Christie

1996

"A guide to European and Middle Eastern species. The clearly written text is accompanied by 80 plates of exquisite illustrations and hand-written captions."

Birds of Europe

Lars Jonsson

1996

"Originally produced in five volumes, this practical guide covers all but a few of the Western Palearctic's breeding birds. The guide has species accounts, distribution maps and illustrations on facing pages for easy reference. By the author of "Birds of the Mediterranean and Alps."

Birds of Britain and Europe with North Africa and the Middle East

Hermann Heinzel, Richard Fitter, and John Parslow

1995

"A guide that describes and illustrates all 887 species of birds found in Britain and Europe including all rarities and introduced species. The book provides the information needed to identify every species - whatever its age or sex - and special pages highlight groups of birds that are difficult to identify."

Pocket Guide: Birds of Britain and Ireland

John Gooders

Larousse

1995

Includes 250 species.

Field Guide: Birds of Britain and Ireland

John Gooders

Larousse

1995

"An illustrated and comprehensive field guide to the 255 birds regularly seen in Britain and Ireland. Each bird is treated to a full page and a concise text summarises the most important points about their appearance and behaviour. Similar birds appear on facing pages (wherever possible), and in similar positions to facilitate comparison."

Photographic Guide to Birds of Britain and Europe

Paul Sterry and Jim Flegg

1st edition

1995

"Key identification facts about 250 bird species most frequently seen in Britain and Europe are presented in this illustrated book. A distribution map and details on bird biology and behaviour is included and thumbnail silhouettes identifying different family groups are shown on the guide pages."

The Birds of the Western Palearctic: Volume IX. Buntings and New World Warblers

Chief Editor: Stanley Cramp

Editor: C. M. Perrins

1994

The Birds of the Western Palearctic: Volume VIII. Crows to Finches

Chief Editor: Stanley Cramp

Editor: C. M. Perrins

1994

Describes 73 species including Crows and allies, Starlings, Sparrows, Rock Sparrows, Snow Finches, Weavers and allies, Waxbills, Grassfinches, Mannikens, Vireos and Finches.

Field Guide to Birds of Britain and Europe

Paul Sterry

1994

"This identification guide covers over 500 species that breed and are seen regularly in Europe, plus a large selection of the rarer visitors, such as those from North America. The illustrations show the birds in a variety of plumages. The text features concise descriptions enabling easy identification plus details of voice, habitat and distribution in Britain and Europe, plus an indication of the status of each species."

Palearctic Birds: A Checklist of the Birds of Europe, North Africa and Asia North of the Foothills of the Himalayas

Mark Beaman

1994

Birds of Europe: With North Africa and the Middle East

Lars Jonsson

1993

Birds of Britain and Europe

Roger Tory Peterson, Guy Mountford, P.A.D. Hollom,

Collins

Published in the US by Houghton Mifflin as a Peterson Field Guide

1993

"This fifth edition is a guide to the birds of Britain and Europe. The book includes an update of the maps and revision of the illustrations to help in the identification of wild birds."

Buy from amazon.co.uk

The Birds of the Western Palearctic: Volume VII. Flycatchers to Shrikes

Chief Editor: Stanley Cramp

Editor: C. M. Perrins

1993

This seventh volume covers the flycatchers, tits, babblers, nuthatches, wallcreepers, treecreepers, sunbirds, orioles, and shrikes.

Birds of Britain and Europe

John Gooders

Kingfisher Field Guides

Kingfisher

1993

"This is a practical guide to over 400 species of bird in Britain and Europe. Information on each bird includes fact panels with complete checklists of features and characteristics and detailed close-ups for correct identification."

Birds of Britain & Europe

J. Niclai, D. Singer, K. Wothe

Collins

1993

"The Collins Nature Guides are comprehensive, photographically illustrated reference books that are perfect for any lover of nature and the outdoors. This handy, portable guide to the birds of England and Europe includes over 310 full-colour photographic entries arranged in helpfully colour-coded sections."

Identification Guide to European Non-Passerines

Kevin Baker

1993

"A major guide, which complements Lars Svensson's Identification Guide to European Passerines. It covers 119 species, with descriptions of ageing and sexing methods, moult, biometrics and racial differences, making it an invaluable tool for ringers and museum workers, as well as keen birders."

Identification Guide to European Passerines

Lars Svensson

1992

"The ringer's bible is completely revised and updated to include 229 species, with valid subspecies, of passerines regularly occurring in Europe, plus some rare vagrants. Data include wing formulae, measurements, plumage, and other criteria for determining sex and age. It also includes indices of English, Finnish, French, German and Swedish names."

The Birds of the Western Palearctic: Volume VI. Warblers

Executive Editor: Stanley Cramp and Duncan J Brooks

Illustrations: Alan Harris, Ian Lewington, DIM Wallace, and Dan Zetterstrom

Oxford University Press

1992

"The second of three volumes covering the passerines, containing descriptions of 64 species of warbler. Each breeding species is covered in full, with details of field characters, habitat, distribution, mortality, population, movements, food, behaviour, breeding, voice, plumages, moults, measurements, weights, structure, and geographical variation. Regular migrants and accidental species are covered in similar detail. There are maps showing breeding and wintering distribution. Each species is illustrated on colour plates, showing the full range of normal plumages, plus distant flight views. There are also colour plates of eggs, black and white illustrations, and text-figures showing special features, sonagrams and melograms, and annual cycles. Finally, there is a comprehensive bibliography and index."

The Hamlyn Guide to Birds of Britain and Europe

Bertel Brunn, Hakan Delin, Lars Svensson, and Arthur Singer

1992

This guide cover just over 530 European birds, with distribution maps and descriptions of all species regularly present in Europe.

Birds by Character: A Field Guide to Jizz

Rob Hume

Macmillan

1990

"Identification by plumage is the first and foremost technique used by the modern ornithologist. But there are so many occasions when it is just not enough. Even the best of seabird watchers need more than beak and feather detail to tell a common tern from an Arctic. When the expert birder can identify a robin at a 100 yards by the way it drops off a fence, he's always using "jizz". Artists have provided a folio of illustrations of the essential character of a bird from form and behaviour, helped by Rob Hume's written interpretations."

Field Guide To The Birds of Britain and Europe

Jim Flegg

New Holland

1990

"One of a series of field guides, this volume deals with the birds of Britain and Europe. The book provides photographs of over 430 species in typical stances, and additional photos depict plumage variations and birds in flight or at the nest. Information on birdwatching is also given."

The Macmillan Field Guide to Bird Identification

Alan Harris, Laurel Tucker, Keith Vinicombe

1989 (subsequently revised)

"This pocket guide to the identification of 91 bird species with comments on distribution, size and description, variations by age group, flight identification and rare variations. The 88 colour plates help the beginner to solve the most difficult problems of identification, and there are bibliographies on each species included."

The Hamlyn Guide to Birds of Britain and Europe

Bertel Brunn, Hakan Delin and Lars Svensson

Hamlyn

1989

The complete guide to Europe's birds. 516 birds in colous. 448 maps.

The Complete Book Of British Birds

AA / RSPB

In celebration of 100 years of the RSPB

A guide to common species and a birdwatching site guide.

The History of the Birds of Britain

Colour plates and drawings: David Reid Henry

Text: Colin Harrison

1988

The RSPB Book Of British Birds

Peter Holden, J.T.R. Sharrock

Macmillan

1988

A new edition with revised text and distribution maps.

The Birds of the Western Palearctic: Volume V. Tyrant Flycatchers to Thrushes

Chief Editor: Stanley Cramp

Editor: K. E. L. Simmons

1988

This volume covers Flycatchers, Larks, Martins, Swallows, Pipits, Wagtails, Bulbuls, Waxwing, Hypocolius, Dipper, Wren, Catbird, Thrasher, Dunnock, Accentors, Robins, Nightingales, Rubythroat, Bluethroats, Bluetail, Redstarts, Blackstart, Whinchat, Stonechats, Ant Chat, Wheatears, Blackbird, Ring Ouzel, Fieldfare, Redwing, Veery and Thrushes.

The Popular Handbook Of British Birds

Editor: P.A.D. Hollom

5th edition

1988

5th, and final, edition of this single volume handbook that was originally published in 1952. The original was a concise version of the 5 volume Handbook Of British Birds that was published by Witherby between 1938 and 1941. This edition was further revised and updated.

The Complete Birdwatcher's Guide

John Gooders

Kingfisher Books

1988

"A book for birdwatchers, with an identification guide and a site directory of key locations in Britain and Ireland. It describes the appearance, behaviour, distribution and other aspects of more than 300 species, and provides practical information such as transport and access details for the sites."

Collins Field Notebook Of British Birds

Roger Lovegrove and Philip Snow

1986

Cover just under 300 species most likely to be seen in Britain.

The Birds of the Western Palearctic: Volume IV. Terns to Woodpeckers

Chief Editor: Stanley Cramp

Editor: K. E. L. Simmons

1985

British Birds And Their Habitats

Ron Freethy

1985

The RSPB Book Of British Birds

Peter Holden, J.T.R. Sharrock

Papermac

1984

Birds of Britain and Europe with North Africa and the Middle East

Hermann Heinzel, Richard Fitter, and John Parslow

1984

Covers 887 speices found in Britain and Europe.

The Shell Guide to the Birds of Britain and Ireland

James Ferguson-Lees, Ian Willis, J.T.R. Sharrock

1983

The Birds of the Western Palearctic: Volume III. Waders to Gulls

Chief Editor: Stanley Cramp

Editor: K. E. L. Simmons

1983

A Field Guide To Birds of Britain and Europe

Roger Tory Peterson, Guy Mountford, P.A.D. Hollom,

1983

Fourth edition. "Precise field identification of every species occurring in Europe. 1195 colour illustrations. 361 distribution maps."

The Breeding Birds of Europe 2: Sandgrouse to Crows

Manfred Pforr and Alfred Limbrunner

1982

A photographic handbook.

British Birds: Lifestyles And Habitats

Ian Prestt

1982

The Breeding Birds of Europe 1: Divers to Auks

Manfred Pforr and Alfred Limbrunner

1981

A photographic handbook.

Bird Of The Week

Jim Flegg

BBC Books

1981

Published in conjunction with the Bird Of The Week series on BBC Radio.

Frontiers of Bird Identification: A British Birds Guide To Some Difficult Species

Editor: J.T.R. Sharrock

1980

The British Ornithologist's Guide to Bird Life

Carl-Fredrik Lundevall

Blandford Press

1980

318 pages with 128 colour plates. Describes and illustrates 300 species found in Britain and Northern Europe. Additional chapters describes bird behaviour, habitats and other general information.

The Oxford Book Of Birds

Bruce Campbell

Oxford University Press

Revised edition

1980

"This book with its 96 coloured plates and accompanying text covers all the birds which have ever been recorded in Britain, up to 1971. Any bird which is seen at all regularly in any part of the British Isles is illustrated in full colour, together with several which are very rare. At the beginning of the book are notes on classification, and at the end are sections on special points of interest such as Flight, Anatomy, Behaviour and Breeding, and Migration."

The Popular Handbook Of Rarer British Birds

P.A.D. Hollom

1980

A revised version of the book originally published in 1960.

Birds Of Mountain Regions

Lars Jonsson

Penguin

1979

"This is the fourth of five reference books which cover all bird species regularly nesting or occuring in Europe. This volume deals with the highland areas of Northern Europe together with the northern conifer zone."

The Birds of the Western Palearctic: Volume II. Hawks to Bustards

Chief Editor: Stanley Cramp

Editor: K. E. L. Simmons

1979

Birds of Town and Village

Paintings: Basil Ede

Text: W.D. Campbell

1965

Describes 56 birds that can be found in British towns and villages. Includes 36 full page colour paintings. Subsequently reprinted many times.

Birds of Town and Village

Eric Simms

1979

A 30 page booklet.

Lambert's Birds of Shore and Estuary

Paintings: Terence Lambert

Text: Alan Mitchell

1979

128 pages with 58 colour and black and white illustrations.

British Birds: A Field Guide

Alan J. Richards

1979

What's That Bird? A Guide to British Birds

Peter Hayman and Michael Everett

1978

Birds Of Lake, River, Marsh And Field

Lars Jonsson

Penguin

1978

"This is the third of five handy reference books which cover all bird species regularly nesting or occuring in Europe.This volume deals with the area south of the northern coniferous forests and north of the Mediterranean countries and the Alps."

Birds Of Sea And Coast

Lars Jonsson

Penguin

1978

"This is the second of five handy reference books which cover all bird species regularly nesting or occuring in Europe.It deals with those species which for some period of the year have as their principal habitat the open sea or coastal areas, excluding the Mediterranean and the Iberian Peninsula."

Birds of Wood, Park and Garden

Lars Jonsson

Penguin

1978

"This is the first of five handy reference books which cover all bird species regularly nesting or occuring in Europe. This volume deals with the area south of the northern coniferous forests and north of the Mediterranean countries and the Alps."

A Field Guide To Seabirds of Britain and the World

Gerald Tuck and Hermann Heinzel

1978

The Birds of the Western Palearctic: Volume I. Ostrich to Ducks

Chief Editor: Stanley Cramp

Editor: K. E. L. Simmons

1977

The Birdlife of Britain

Peter Hayman and Philip Burton

1976

"A Dramatic New Way of Identifying and Understanding the Birds of Britain and Europe."

Lambert's birds of garden and woodland

Paintings: Terence Lambert

Text: Alan Mitchell

1976

128 pages with 64 colour illustrations.

The Winter Birds

M A Ogilvie

1976

A guide to the British Birds that breed in the Arctic and migrate to Britain in the Winter. Sections include waterbirds, waders or shorebirds, seabirds, and land birds. General chapters include: the nature and extent of the arctic; the adaptation of birds to the arctic; and the conservation of arctic birds.

Birds of Britain and Europe

Dennis Avon, Tony Tilford, Jim Flegg

1975

The RSPB Guide To British Birds

David Saunders

Hamlyn

1975

A Field Guide To Birds of Britain and Europe

Roger Tory Peterson, Guy Mountford, P.A.D. Hollom

1974

Third edition. "Precise field identification of every species occurring in Europe. 1225 illustrations, 695 in colour. 384 distribution maps."

A Seabirds of Britain and Ireland

Stanley Cramp, W.R.P. Bourne, David Saunders

Collins

1974

Includes four colour plates, line drawings and distribution maps.

Reader's Digest AA Book of British Birds

Consultant Editor: Richard Fitter

1974

Spotting Birds: A Pocket Guide

Spirhanzul Duris and Edmund Burke

1974

The Hamlyn Guide to Birds of Britain and Europe

Bertel Brunn and Arthur Singer

1972

The complete guide to Europe's birds. 516 birds in colous. 448 maps.

Birds of Britain and Europe with North Africa and the Middle East

Hermann Heinzel, Richard Fitter, and John Parslow

1972

"Over 1000 birds illustrated, all in colour, 825 distribution maps."

Reader's Digest AA Book of British Birds: The Authoritative Guide

Consultant Editor: Richard Fitter

1972

472 pages

The Observer's Book Of British Birds

S. Vere Benson

1971

The great tit/blue tit cover was used, with minor variations, between 1971 and about 1982.

Birds of Europe

Bertel Brunn

Golden Press / McGraw Hill

1971

There were a number of editions of this book roughly in the 1969-1971 period.

Birds of Prey in the Field: A Guide to the British and European Species

Roger Harkness and Colin Murdoch

1971

"Designed for use in the field, this book gives much practical advice to the observer on the identification of British and European birds of prey. The authors have included a valuable series of pencil drawings which have been specially prepared to assist in identification, and the photographs have been chosen to show mainly birds in flight."

Reader's Digest AA Book of British Birds

Consultant Editor: Richard Fitter

1969

471 pages.

The Observer's Book Of British Birds

S. Vere Benson

1966

The robin cover was used, with minor variations, between 1966 and 1970/71.

The Birds of the Palearctic Fauna

Non Passeriformes

Charles Vaurie

1965

"Dr Vaurie of the American Museum of Natural History has spared no effort in compiling his systematic list, of which this is the second volume of two. The book is designed to list all the birds that breed in the palearctic region, arranged in sequence. 559 species are included, with full notes about the range of the birds, their breeding grounds and migratory habits. Includes some descriptions and measurements of birds."

Water-Birds With Webbed Feet

Paul Geroudet

Blandford

1965

Originally published in Switzerland.

Covers webbed feet birds of Western Europe.

The Oxford Book Of Birds

Bruce Campbell

Oxford University Press

1964

Text covers all birds recorded in Britain up to 1960. 96 full page, colour plates include all regularly occurring species. Introductory notes on notes on classification, flight, anatomy, behaviour, breeding, and migration.

The Birds Of The British Isles

Volume 12

David Bannerman and George Lodge

1963

The twelvth of a 12 volume work published between 1953 and 1963.

This volume covers the Stercorariidae, Alcidae, Rallidae, Tetraonidae and Phasianidae.

The Birds Of The British Isles

Volume 11

David Bannerman and George Lodge

1962

The eleventh of a 12 volume work published between 1953 and 1963.

This volume covers the Glareolidae, Otdidae, Burhinidae, Gruidae and Laridae.

The Popular Handbook Of British Birds

Editor: P.A.D. Hollom

Revised edition

1962

A revised edition of the concise version of the 5 volume Handbook Of British Birds. The first Popular Handbook was published in 1952.

The Birds Of The British Isles

Volume 10

David Bannerman and George Lodge

1961

The tenth of a 12 volume work published between 1953 and 1963.

This volume covers the remainder of the Scolopacidae and the Charadriidae, Recurvirostridae and Haematopodidae.

The Birds Of The British Isles

Volume 9

David Bannerman and George Lodge

1961

The ninth of a 12 volume work published between 1953 and 1963.

This volume covers part of the Scolopacidae.

British Birds Of The Wild Places

J. Wentworth Day

Blandford Press

1961

88 pages. Uses the same illustrations that were used on Brooke Bond tea cards.

The Popular Handbook Of Rarer British Birds

P.A.D. Hollom

1960

Describes over 100 species all of which are illustrated in colour. Some of the text and illustrations are taken from the 1938 to 1941 Handbook Of British Birds. The text has been updated and 30 species not recorded in Britain at the time of the Handbook have been added. New plates by David Reid-Henry.

The Birds of the Palearctic Fauna

Passeriformes

Charles Vaurie

1959

"Dr. Vaurie's new work gives for every Passerine species (the non-Passerines are to be the subject of a second volume) concise details of range, habitat, subspecies, and geographical variation. English, French, and German vernacular names are also given where designated. The inclusion of habitat details has seldom before been considered in a systematic reference of this kind but they form an important part of the work, for it is impossible to divorce birds from general ecology. For the ornithologist who wishes to view the Palearctic avifauna as a whole, Dr. Vaurie's book will prove an invaluable reference. It should prove a standard work on the Passerine birds of this vast region for many years to come."

The Birds Of The British Isles

Volume 8

David Bannerman and George Lodge

1959

The eighth of a 12 volume work published between 1953 and 1963.

This volume covers the Phalacrocoracidae, Diomedeidae, Sulidae, Podicipedidae, Fregatidae, Gaviidae, Procellariidae, Columbidae and Pteroclididae.

The Birds Of The British Isles

Volume 7

David Bannerman and George Lodge

1958

The seventh of a 12 volume work published between 1953 and 1963.

This volume covers the remainder of the Anatidae.

The Birds Of The British Isles

Volume 6

David Bannerman and George Lodge

1957

The sixth of a 12 volume work published between 1953 and 1963.

This volume covers the Ciconiidae, Ardeidae, Phoenicopteridae and Anatidae (Part).

British Birds

Wilfred Willett

Adam & Charles Black

1956?

Probably not the first edition

A Third Book of British Birds and their Nests

Brian Vesey-Fitzgerald

Ladybird Books Series 536: Nature

Wills & Hepworth

1956

"Well, here is a third book about British birds and their nests, and I hope you will like it as much as you did the other two. This time, Roland Green, a very famous bird artist, has painted beautiful pictures of the birds I have written about. If you look at these carefully, you should easily recognise the birds when you see them. All the birds in this book are common - though some are more common than others. However, to see one or two, you will have to visit places like the seashore or big ponds."

The Observer's Book Of British Birds

S. Vere Benson

1956

Describes 236 species with 200 colour and black and white illustrations.

The fieldfare cover was used, with minor variations, between 1956 and 1965/66.

The Birds Of The British Isles

Volume 5

David Bannerman and George Lodge

1956

The fifth of a 12 volume work published between 1953 and 1963.

This volume covers the Birds of Prey.

The Birds Of The British Isles

Volume 4

David Bannerman and George Lodge

1955

The fourth of a 12 volume work published between 1953 and 1963.

This volume covers the Apodidae, Coraciidae, Caprimulgidae, Alcedinidae, Meropidae, Picidae, Upupidae, Cuculidae, Strigidae

Bird Recognition 3: Rails, game-birds and larger perching and singing birds

James Fisher

1955

159 pages with black and white illustrations, maps and charts.

Woodland Birds

Phyllis Barclay-Smith

King Penguin 74

1955

A Second Book of British Birds and their Nests

Brian Vesey-Fitzgerald

Ladybird Books Series 536: Nature

Wills & Hepworth

1954

"Here is another book about British birds and their nests. I have written this second one because you liked the first book so much, and I hope you will enjoy this one just as well. Once again, Allen Seaby has given you lovely coloured pictures of the birds I have written about. They are all quite common birds, though you will have to visit the sea-coast to see some of them. I have tried to tell you where to look for each bird, a little about its habits and also its nests."

Bird Recognition, Volume 1: Seabirds And Waders

James Fisher

Revised edition: 1954

192 pages with 86 black and white illustrations, 77 maps and 72 charts.

The Birds Of The British Isles

Volume 3

David Bannerman and George Lodge

1954

The third of a 12 volume work published between 1953 and 1963.

This volume covers the Sylviidae, Troglodytidae, Turdidae, Cinclidae, Prunellidae, Hirundinidae

The Birds Of The British Isles

Volume 2

David Bannerman and George Lodge

1953

The second of a 12 volume work published between 1953 and 1963.

This volume covers the Alaudidae, Certhidae, Paridae, Vireonidae and others

The Birds Of The British Isles

Volume 1

David Bannerman and George Lodge

1953

The first of a 12 volume work published between 1953 and 1963.

This volume covers the Corvidae, Sturnidae, Oriolidae and Fringillidae

British Birds and their Nests

Brian Vesey-Fitzgerald

Ladybird Books Series 536: Nature

Wills & Hepworth

1953

"This, children, is a new book about British birds and their nests. All the birds are common ones, and Allen Seaby has given you lovely coloured pictures, to enable you to recognise each of the birds when you see them."

Birds Of Town & Village

R.S.R. Fitter

Series editor: James Fisher

Collins

1953

33 pages with illustrations by Eric Hosking and others.

The Pocket Guide to British Birds

R.S.R. Fitter and R.A. Richardson

1952

There were a number of editions of this book roughly in the 1969-1971 period.

The Popular Handbook Of British Birds

Editor: P.A.D. Hollom

1952

A concise version of the 5 volume Handbook Of British Birds that was published by Witherby between 1938 and 1941. Status and distribution information was updated but otherwise much was unchanged. Subsequent editions of the Popular Handbook were further revised.

A Pocket-book of Common British Birds

Wilfred Willett and Charles A. Hall

Adam & Charles Black

1952

Reprinted in 1962.

A Pocket-book of Lesser-Known British Birds

Wilfred Willett and Charles A. Hall

Adam & Charles Black

1952

Reprinted in 1962.

Mountain Birds

R.A.H. Coombes

King Penguin 67

1952

Bird Recognition 2: Birds Of Prey and Waterfowl

James Fisher

1951

182 pages with black and white illustrations, maps and charts.

British Birds In Colour

Advisory Editor: R.S.R. Fitter

Colour plates: John Gould

Photographs: E. J. Hosking, G. K. Yeates

Oldhams

1951

192 pages with colour and monochrome illustrations. The colour images are taken from John Gould's Birds Of Great Britain.

Spotting British Birds

S. Vere Benson

1951

Birds Of Britain

Wilfred Willett

1950

Name This Bird

Eric Fitch Daglish

2nd edition

1950

"In Name This Bird Mr. Eric Fitch Daglish, the well-known naturalist and artist, does for birds what Gaston Bonnier did for flowers in his popular work Name This Flower. Here is provided a simple way of finding out the name of any bird seen in the British Isles, even if only momentarily; a book equally useful to the specialist and the ordinary bird-lover."