On this page

The page gathers together Helm publications that do not fall into the categories of the other Helm books on the site. The books are listed by publication date with the most recent at the top.

There are a number of Helm pages on the site

Regional ID Guides

Photographic Guides

County Avifaunas

Where To Watch Birds (GB)

Where To Watch Birds (World)

Other Helm publications

A History of Birdwatching in 100 Objects

David Callahan

Christopher Helm

2015

"This book looks at 100 items that have profoundly shaped how people watched, studied and engaged with the avian world. Each item contains around 500 words on a double-page spread and include an illustration of the object in question. The book includes the objects listed below as well as many more. The range of items is international and cross-cultural. Subjects include: an Egyptian 'field guide'; Ornithologiae libri tres: the first British bird guide; the Dodo specimen held at the Horniman museum; Systema Naturae by Carl Linnaeus; the shotgun; The Natural History and Antiquities of Selborne by Gilbert White; MS Beagle; aluminium bird rings; along with many more modern innovations including walkie talkies, pagers, radio tags and apps."

Facing Extinction: The World's Rarest Birds and the Race to Save Them

Paul F. Donald, Nigel J. Collar, Stuart J. Marsden & Deborah J. Pain

2nd edition

2013

"Almost two hundred species of birds have become extinct in the past 400 years, and a similar number today are in imminent danger of following them. The world's conservationists are leading the fight to prevent the demise of these remaining critically endangered birds, with a fair degree of success. This new book examines the process and issues concerning extinction - how and why it happens and what can be done about it. Whilst man is to blame for many of the causes, such as persecution and habitat loss, species have become extinct on a regular basis since life began. After several thought-provoking introductory chapters, the book showcases about 20 species on the brink of extinction from around the world and describes the work that is being undertaken to save them. Some are success stories, but a few are not. This is a subject close to the hearts of all birders and ornithologists and this book, written by a team of leading conservationists, will strike a chord in most of them."

Ghosts of Gone Birds

Chris Aldhous and Ceri Levy

2013

"It is rare that the birding and art worlds come together. It is even rarer that they bring in some of the greatest artists in the world, along with musicians such as Doves, Gorillaz and Blur. This phenomenon is called Ghosts of Gone Birds.The brief – given to 120 artists – was to produce a piece of work based loosely on one or more extinct birds, with proceeds from sales going to BirdLife International. The results exceeded the curator's wildest dreams – the exhibition in London was a sensation, with the people involved representing a who's who of British art – Sir Peter Blake, Ben Newman, Ralph Steadman, Billy Childlish – along with renowned bird artists such as Bruce Pearson and Carry Akroyd"

The Secret Lives of Puffins

Dominic Couzens

Christopher Helm

2013

"Award-winning wildlife photographer Mark Sisson has spent several years photographing puffins and this new book combines images that beautifully encapsulate their charm and visual appeal with an accessible text written by leading wildlife writer Dominic Couzens. The Secret Lives of Puffins covers the birds' life cycle, behaviour, habitats and the current and future challenges that they face, along with many surprising facts and anecdotes"

Penguins: Their World, Their Ways

Tui de Roy, Mark Jones, Julie Cornthwaite

2013

"Modelled on the authors' much-praised Albatross: Their World, Their Ways (2008), this book is the first to comprehensively cover all of the 18 penguin species alongside the latest research into many of their more unusual adaptations, such as their deep-diving abilities. Penguins are the 'canaries in the coalmine' of the oceans, and their presence is indicatiive of a healthy marine environment. Although they are an icon of the southern hemisphere, what penguins can teach us about our changing seas is of truly global significance"

The Biggest Twitch

Alan Davies and Ruth Miller

2010

"Most people dream of packing in their humdrum city life, selling up and heading off into the unknown for a life of adventure. For Ruth Miller and Alan Davies this dream became a reality, albeit with a twist; they decided to pack in their jobs, sell their house and take on the ultimate birder's challenge - to smash the world record for the number of species seen in one calendar year. This book is the story of their great expedition, searching for birds from Ecuador to Ethiopia via Argentina, Australia and Arizona. We follow this birding odyssey as they rachet up the species and the stamps in their passports, sharing in amazing birding experiences such as monkey-hunting Harpy Eagles in the Brazilian rain forest, seedsnipes in the Peruvian highlands and lekking bustards in South Africa, all leading to the ultimate question - will they break the magic 4,000? Written in an accessible style, this book will be of great interest to birders, readers of travel literature, and to people who simply enjoy a good adventure!"

RSPB British Birds of Prey

Marianne Taylor

2010

"This book is a celebration of British raptors, with 200 stunning colour photographs. An authoritative text examines the biology and ecology of each species, following their fortunes as British breeding birds from historical times to the present day. This book will serve as a showcase of these fabulous birds and highlight the diverse work of the RSPB in ensuring their survival."

Field Guide to the Wildlife of New Zealand

Julian Fitter

2010

"New Zealand is a popular tourist destination with a wide range of dramatic scenery and a long list of endemic species. Although the country's wildlife has suffered as a result of unwelcome introductions, most species have managed to survive thanks to a number of dedicated and inspired conservationists. This glorious photographic field guide illustrates most of the vertebrate species to be found there, as well as a large number of typical invertebrates and flora. The photographs are accompanied by a succinct text, and this portable guide will be invaluable to all visitors to the country with an interest in natural history."

Helm Dictionary of Scientific Bird Names

James A. Jobling

2009

"Many scientific bird names describe a bird's habits, habitat, distribution or a plumage feature, while others are named after their discoverers or in honour of prominent ornithologists. This extraordinary work of reference lists the generic and specific name for almost every species of bird in the world and gives its meaning and derivation. In the case of eponyms brief biographical details are provided for each of the personalities commemorated in the scientific names. This fascinating book is an outstanding source of information which will both educate and inform, and may even help to understand birds better."

The Status of Birds in Britain and Ireland

David T. Parkin and Alan G. Knox

2009

"As the combined British and Irish list edges ever closer to 600 (several new species are added each year), the need for a new, up-to-date status of our birds becomes more apparent. This authoritative work of reference gives a detailed assessment of the status and distribution of every species on the British and Irish lists, for the first time since 1971. Importantly, it also covers each subspecies known to have occurred on our islands. The book is complemented with a 32-page colour section illustrating some of the species and habitats representative of the British Isles. This essential work deserves to be on the shelves of every birder and ornithologist with an interest in the status and distribution of our birds."

Birds of Ethiopia & Eritrea

John Ash and John Atkins

2009

"Ethiopia and Eritrea have a fascinating and unique avifauna. Poorly known in comparison to many parts of Africa, knowledge on bird distribution in the two countries is scattered throughout the literature. For more than 35 years, the authors have been painstakingly collecting bird records in the region and plotting them on half-degree maps, including published records, data from museum specimens, sightings from their own extensive travels and, more recently, records from the many birdwatchers that now visit Ethiopia. The resulting atlas provides, for the first time, an accurate assessment of the distribution of each of the 870 species known from the two countries, including valuable information on breeding. The succinct text summarises the results and discusses distribution to subspecies level. Extensive introductory chapters cover topics such as topography, geology, vegetation, climate, habitats, conservation, migration, breeding seasons, bird ringing, and the history of ornithology in the region. This groundbreaking book fills a large hole in the literature for one of the most diverse and least known areas of Africa."

RSPB Handbook of Scottish Birds

Peter Holden and Stuart Housden

2009

"In this new book, the text, maps and plates of the bestselling RSPB Handbook of British Birds have been adapted to create a brand new book specific to Scotland and its rich birdlife. Over 250 species are covered in detail with a page per species. The species accounts include concise information on identification, voice, habits, habitat, food, breeding ecology, seasonal movements, population and conservation. Detailed maps have been specially created to show distribution when breeding, wintering or on migration. Superb colour illustrations from some of the world's leading artists have been integrated into the text for easy reference."

Galapagos: Preserving Darwin's Legacy

Tui De Roy

2009

"This gorgeous large-format book is a celebration of the 50th anniversary of the foundation of the Charles Darwin Foundation on Galapagos. The book comprises a series of invited essays under the editorship of world-renowned photographer and long-term Galapagos resident, Tui de Roy, who has also provided most of the photographs. The authoritative essays cover the entire spectrum of Galapagos wildlife."

Lars Jonsson's Birds

Lars Jonsson

2008

"Lars Jonsson is widely regarded as one of the greatest bird artists of all time. In his native Sweden he is national celebrity and there is even a museum dedicated to his art on his native Gotland. This new collection of paintings and drawings represents his work since the turn of the millennium. Once again, he returns to his favourite themes of birds in the wider landscape, featuring gulls, waders, ducks and raptors in particular. This sumptuous and irresistible volume has been produced to accompany a major exhibition of his work in Germany, Denmark and Austria, and will include short essays from the sculptor Kent Ullberg and museum curator Adam Harris."

Albatrosses: Their World, Their Ways

Tui de Roy, Mark Jones and Julian Fitter

2008

"Albatrosses are highly threatened and in the public eye; they are the ultimate seabirds, living almost their entire lives at sea. The RSPB currently has a big campaign to help save them. This book is both an authoritative book covering all the world's species and a beautiful work of art to admire. It is illustrated with 300 breathtaking colour photographs from an award-winning photographer. The text comprises a series of essays by leading experts in the field and a systematic section that gives identification, behavioural and distributional information for each of the world's 22 species."

Birds By Colour

Mark Duquet

Illustrations: Alban Larousse and Francoise Desbordes

Christopher Helm

2008

"You've just seen a small black and white bird, but which species is it? Which bird has a red head and a yellow wing? Birds by Colour helps you to identify almost 200 bird species common to western Europe simply by their shape and colour. Conceived and designed specifically for beginners, this is the first guide to approach identification from birds' most visible characteristics: their colours. No prior knowledge of ornithology is required to use the guide. 184 species have been classified according to the most typical bird shapes. Then groups of species that share physical characteristics and have similar colours are treated together on a spread, illustrated side by side to allow direct comparison. In the second half of the book, each featured bird has its own short field guide entry, including information on their biology, behaviour, habitat and distribution. Each field guide entry is illustrated by a colour photograph and the artworks from the first half of the guide and details the best times and locations for observing the species."

Secret Lives of Garden Wildlife

Dominic Couzens

Christopher Helm / RSPB

2008

"There is no wildlife closer to us than that found in our gardens - or indeed, in our houses - so it follows that many of those creatures we love, such as foxes and ladybirds, are literally household names. However, despite this familiarity, many of the characters reveal surprising lifestyles if you take a closer look, and there is more going on in our precious backyards that we might imagine. Did you know that slugs and snails have spine-tingly good sex; that mosquitoes can dodge raindrops and that Grey Squirrels have regular sleepovers with their neighbours? Did you realise that unemployment causes the breakdown of society in wasps, or that it takes the average spider only one hour to build a web from scratch? Perhaps it would even surprise you to know that, in this day and age, it is still possible to have three Old Ladies stuck in your lavatory? (They are moths.) Written in an engaging style and illustrated with photographs and stunning colour paintings by Peter Partington, this book reveals, month by month, the extraordinary hidden world of our most familiar garden wildlife."

RSPB Handbook of Garden Wildlife

Peter Holden and Geoffrey Abbott

2008

"This RSPB-endorsed guide includes sections covering over 200 of the mammal, bird, amphibian and reptile, invertebrate, spider, insect, butterfly, moth, wild flower, garden plant, tree and shrub, and mushroom and toadstool species you are likely to find in your garden. The concise, practical text covers identification, habits, characteristics, food and garden conservation. Additional introductory sections about garden habitats detail, among other topics, how to plant for the seasons, how to make a pond or bog garden to attract new species into your garden, and how to build a hedgehog box or a nest box for birds to encourage your garden visitors to stick around for longer. This brand new RSPB Handbook provides a complete, single source of basic information to our most familiar garden wildlife."

The Shorebird Guide

Michael O'Brien, Richard Crossley and Kevin Karlsson

2007

"When many birders go out looking at waders, they see a distant mudflat with grey-brown birds of various shapes and sizes and have no idea where to begin the identification process. When advanced birders look at that same flock, they can identify the vast majority with a quick scan of the binoculars. Experts use the simplest, most easily observed characteristics, or jizz - size, structure, behaviour and general colour patterns - almost subconsciously, and they can identify most birds before the complexities of plumage detail need to be considered. The Shorebird Guide allows birders of all levels to identify Nearctic waders quickly and accurately. With more than 870 stunning colour photographs, images are sequenced to give a general impression of a species first, progressing to more detailed photographs of the birds at various ages and plumages. Captions list characteristics in order of importance, reflecting the process of elimination and deduction that experts use to identify these tricky-to-separate birds, while each species is accompanied by a full-colour map plus details on taxonomy, status, behaviour, migration, moult and vocalisations. The Shorebird Guide is acknowledged as one of the finest photographic guides to any avian group available; it is a superb addition to the Christopher Helm list."

Birds of the World: Recommended English Names

Editors: Frank B. Gill and Minturn T. Wright III

2006

"The product of more than 15 years of discussion, debate and review by a team of international experts sanctioned by the International Ornithological Congress, "Birds of the World" unifies and standardises the avian nomenclature of the English-speaking regions of the world. It provides recommendations for the English name of every species of bird, and comes complete with a CD-ROM containing searchable and sortable Excel files of all the material in the book. Accommodating the very latest taxonomic revisions, this landmark volume will become an invaluable reference on the subject for scholars and ornithologists around the world."

Birds of Prey of the Indian Subcontinent

Rishad Naoroji

2006

"A complete guide to the raptors of the Indian subcontinent. Lavishly illustrated with 24 colour plates and around 600 photos, each species is shown in all usual plumage forms, in flight and at rest. The species accounts cover all aspects of field identification, and also include sections on distribution, behaviour, status and population. The Indian subcontinent comprises the countries of India, Nepal, Bhutan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Pakistan and the Maldives. This region encompasses a great diversity of habitat types and a full range of altitudinal variation, and has a correspondingly large avifauna. The diurnal birds of prey are well represented - 70 species of hawk, buzzard, kite, harrier, eagle, vulture, falcon and falconet are found in the region. Anyone birding in the Indian subcontinent will find this book an invaluable aid to identifying and understanding the region's diverse raptor avifauna."

RSPB Guide to Digital Wildlife Photography

David Tipling

2006

"This is a helpful and practical RSPB guide to all aspects of digital wildlife photography, accessibly written by and beautifully illustrated with the work of one of Britain's best known wildlife photographers. The book's elegant design makes the most of the author's incredible photos and informative text. The book discusses all aspects of digital wildlife photography, from equipment, fieldcraft, locations and composition, post-processing and computer manipulation of images, through to getting your photos published. This is the ultimate reference book for all aspiring and established natural history photographers, and will equip its readers with everything they need to know to help them take better digital wildlife photographs."

Birds, Mammals and Reptiles of the Galapagos Islands

Andy Swash and Robert Still

2006 (2nd ed)

"This compact, well thought out and clearly presented book provides a comprehensive guide to the terrestrial vertebrates on Galapagos. It is simple to use, the text is concise and the innovative use of digital technology has produced a remarkable collection of plates. An informative guide of this kind will help everyone, from beginner to experienced naturalist."

RSPB Handbook of British Birds

Peter Holden and Tim Cleeves

2006

Latest revision of the RSPB guide which provides a 'biography' of each of the 280 most common species is provided in simple, non-technical language, including a description to aide identification, habitat details and migration habits. Over 1150 superb colour illustrations show all the major species and up-to-date distribution maps represent where they can usually be found. There is information on breeding, wintering and migration patterns as well as much to discover on identification, moult patterns, range, voice, food and feeding, breeding ecology, and conservation.

Secret Lives of British Birds

Dominic Couzens

Christopher Helm / RSPB

2006

"Following in the footsteps of the bestselling Secret Lives of Garden Birds, this trip around Britain's principal habitats looks beyond the confines of our gardens and parks to expose the extraordinary hidden world of some our most familiar birds. We learn the secrets of romance from Mute Swans, meet the perfect father in the Guillemot, the estranged couple (of Chiffchaffs) who share the same territory, and enter the bizarre, high-rise society of the Dotterel in which women rule. We also meet the ultimate killers, both by day (Peregrine) and by night (Barn Owl), and encounter the only true living monster in Scotland. At the same time, we find out how all these birds cope with living in seemingly inhospitable habitats such as muddy estuaries, lonely moorland or open ocean."

The Good Bird Guide: Species-by-Species Guide to Finding Europe's Best Birds

Editor: Keith Marsh

2005

"This book is a birdfinding guide to Britain and Europe's most coveted species. Unlike the Where to Watch Birds guides, which direct birders to good general birding sites, this guide takes each individual species as a starting point, and picks out the best places to see that species. In this way, a birder can efficiently target those particular species that he wishes to see, making this guide especially useful to those who travel frequently but may be limited in terms of available time to explore. Each of the species accounts has information on distribution, habitat and movements, some hints and tips of finding and getting close to the species, and a list of sites in all appropriate countries where that species can reliably be found. The species accounts are followed by a comprehensive, country-by-country gazetteer of the sites covered, with site descriptions and location maps."

Birds of the World: A Checklist

James F. Clements

2005 (5th ed)

"The 'Clements' checklist of the birds of the world is probably the best known of the various lists published in recent years. Now in its fifth edition, it covers subspecies for the first time. This will greatly enhance its appeal to all birders and ornithologists, and in these times of taxonomic uncertainty, when species are frequently being revised, it will make these taxonomic changes easier to understand. It presents a total of 9,800 species of birds; each is given its scientific name and its best-known English name. This is followed by a full listing of all recognized subspecies and brief descriptions of their ranges. Each entry has a space to record the locations and dates of individual sightings' providing the user with a personalised ornithological journal. Also included are appendices listing totals of bird species and endemics by country, a gazetteer of over 2000 localities mentioned in the text, a complete bibliography, and indexes to both scientific and English names."

Birds of Europe: With North Africa and the Middle East

Lars Jonsson

2005

Latest edition of the Jonsson guide. "This guide covers all but a few of the Western Palearctic's breeding birds, and includes information on all regularly encountered vagrants. It has over 400 colour plates and, with distribution maps and illustrations on facing pages, it is practically designed and easy to use."

Everything You Always Wanted to Know About Birds..but were afraid to ask

Stephen Moss

2005

"This RSPB-endorsed book answers all those burning questions about birds that beginners and experts alike may ask themselves as they go about their birding. How do ducks keep their feet from freezing in winter? Why don't swallows stay in Africa? Are birds really dinosaurs, or were dinosaurs really birds? How is it decided whether bird species should be 'split' or 'lumped'? Taking a 'questions and answers' approach, each specific question leads to an answer which expands the theme under discussion, so that all aspects of bird life and the hobby of birding are covered. The scientifically rigorous answers together form an impressive and fascinating body of bird-related information. This highly readable book will intrigue anyone with an interest in birds."

The Secret Lives of Garden Birds

Dominic Couzens

Christopher Helm / RSPB

2004

"Have you ever wondered what the birds in your garden get up to when they're not tucking into peanuts and seeds on the birdtable? This book takes us, month by month, into the secret lives of our most familiar garden birds, revealing inspiring, intriguing and scandalous real-life dramas such as the ferocious turf battles of Robins, the profound family ties of Long-tailed Tits and the remarkable sex-life of the Dunnock. The amazing facts that it reveals should help you to understand, encourage and enjoy your garden birds more than ever before. Written with engaging humour and enlivened throughout with colour paintings and photographs, this book should appeal to anyone who enjoys watching birds in their gardens."

Bird Brain of Britain: Pit Your Wits Against the Experts!

Charles Gallimore and Tim Appleton

2004

"This is an ornithology quiz book packed with challenging questions for birders, based on the popular Bird Brain of Britain contest, hosted by Bill Oddie at the annual British Birdwatching Fair."

Drawing Birds

John Busby

2004

"This is a fully revised and updated new version of a popular RSPB handbook to the art and joy of drawing birds. John Busby beautifully conveys his own remarkable ability to capture the grace and motion of living birds, illustrating his ideas and suggestions with many examples of his own work. He also uses illustrations from over 45 other talented bird artists to demonstrate a variety of principles and techniques. The text covers a wealth of topics, including choice of media, sketching from life, composition and different ways of interpreting the subject matter. This is a beautiful and inspiring book which will appeal to aspiring artists and anyone who has ever been entranced by the beauty of birds."

The Sibley Field Guide to the Birds of Eastern North America

David Sibley

Christopher Helm

2004

"This field guide covers the avifauna of eastern North America using detailed artworks, maps and text. Lighter than the original "North American Bird Guide", the book is designed to be suitable for regular field use and has a fully integrated format allowing quick and easy reference."

The Sibley Field Guide to the Birds of Western North America

David Sibley

Christopher Helm

2004

"This field guide covers the avifauna of western North America using detailed artworks, maps and text. Lighter than the original "North American Bird Guide", the book is designed to be suitable for regular field use and has a fully integrated format allowing quick and easy reference."

The Howard and Moore Complete Checklist of the Birds of the World

Editor: Edward C. Dickinson

2003

"This is the third edition of the "Howard and Moore" checklist, which was first published as a compact list of the birds of the world and included all subspecies. This third edition has had the input of five regional consultants who have assisted with a reassessment of all taxonomic data. In addition, the authorities for all newly described subspecies are given with full references. Introductory sections include a discussion of the relative attributes of the Biological Species Concept and the Phylogenetic Species Concept, which cause much confusion among birders but which are critical to our understanding of taxonomy and related issues, not least conservation. Additionally, new developments in taxonomy are discussed, and areas highlighted where it appears that a new consensus is likely to emerge in the future."

A Concise History of Ornithology

Michael Walters

2003

"The first modern history of ornithology, tracing its development from the 17th century, concentrating on those figures who have been most influential in the development of this science as well as other lesser-known figures. The book begins by surveying writings on birds by the ancient Chinese, Greeks, and Romans and by individuals writing during the Middle Ages, the Renaissance, and the Age of Exploration. It then assesses such ornithological pioneers as Linnaeus, Brisson, and Buffon. Subsequent chapters discuss the expeditions of the eighteenth century; the work of the Germans and the Dutch; the beginnings of ornithology in America; the development of nineteenth-century systems of classification; the new theories that emerged from the Far East; and the great advances made in the twentieth century."

Flight Identification of European Seabirds

Bertil Breife, Anders Blomdahl, Niklas Holmstrom

2003

"Seawatching has been gaining popularity, whether watching from coastal sites or from boats. Many seabirds will only be seen in flight, and viewing opportunities are frequently brief. This is a field guide for birdwatching at sea, and is specifically designed to address the particular problems and limitations associated with this kind of birdwatching. The authors have selected photographs of European seabirds in flight, and complement these with an identification-focussed text. Distribution maps are also included."

Whose Bird?: Men and Women Commemorated in the Common Names of Birds

Bo Beolens and Michael Watkins

2003

"Birders often wonder about the people commemorated in the names of many of our familiar bird species. Was Bonaparte's Gull named after Napoleon? Was the Pallas who named Pallas' Warbler the same individual as the discoverer of Pallas' Sandgrouse, and if so did he discover the two birds at the same time, on the same journey? Who was the Lady Amherst who gave her name to one of the world's most spectacular yet secretive pheasants? This book answers these questions and many more by presenting a potted biography of every individual who has given their name to a species of bird. The biographies detail the life and work of the individual involved, often revealing fascinating insights about the nature of bird study and exploration in the centuries gone by. 2235 birds and 1124 individuals are covered in the texts, and all available details are given for the handful of names which could not be traced. This reference is illustrated throughout with portraits of the individuals concerned and line drawings of the birds that bear their names."

The Tracks and Signs of the Birds of Britain and Europe

Roy Brown, John Ferguson, Michael Lawrence and David Lees

2003 (2nd ed)

"Featuring updated data for this second edition, this is a field guide to the tracks and signs of European birds. It describes, with colour illustrations, the many physical signs that can be found in the field. From feathers and skulls to prey remains and pellets, the volume seeks to enable the field ornithologist to establish the presence of a species without necessarily ever encountering the bird itself. Using the information provided, readers should be able to learn much about their local birds' habitat use and lifestyles. This edition includes ten new plates of artwork, and covers a number of new species."

Birds And Light: The Art Of Lars Jonsson

Lars Jonsson

2002

"This work describes the life and work of one of the finest bird artists in history. Here, Lars Jonsson talks of a life's work made from studying and capturing the relationship between birds and light. This work is part autobiography and part exploration of technical method, and throughout it is a celebration of birds, wildlife and wild places. It is illustrated with reproduced artwork, including pages from his earliest sketchbooks, examples of his identification plates, through to the development and completion of finished canvases."

Pocket Guide To Birds of Britain and North-West Europe

Chris Kightley, Steve Madge, and Dave Nurney

2002

"Covering birds of Norway, Sweden, Denmark, Germany, the Czech Republic, Austria, Switzerland, France, Luxembourg, Belgium, the Netherlands, Britain and Ireland, this guide describes 386 species of bird, including all breeding species and all regular and scarce migrants. The definitive and accurate text highlights the key features that are required to make quick and safe identification. Almost every species is illustrated with a plate and all plumages regularly seen in the region are depicted. Similar species are compared to scale on double-page spreads as an aid to identification. Numerous maps are also included. This second edition has been extensively revised to include updated information and new artwork."

The Sibley Guide to Bird Life and Behaviour

David Sibley

2001

"This work is a follow-up and companion volume to the "North American Bird Guide". It looks in detail at all aspects of bird behaviour, ecology, taxonomy and conservation, considering each of the 80 American bird families in turn. The introductory sections cover ecological and biological concepts such as anatomy, aerodynamics, evolution, migration, habitats and population dynamics. The volume is illustrated throughout with David Sibley's artwork, and the text, from a team of 44 authors, draws on a variety of ornithological experience."

Bill Oddie's Gripping Yarns

Bill Oddie

2000

"A collection of over 60 of Bill Oddie's tales of the ups, downs, high, lows and thrills and spills of birding, from nefarious childhood "egging" to fully fledged twitching."

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.

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.

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.

Galapagos Diary: A Complete Guide to the Archipelago's Birdlife

Hermann Heinzel and Barnaby Hall

1998

"World famous bird illustrator Hermann Heinzel teamed up with a young photographer to capture the birds and other wildlife of these islands. The first section of the book is a tour around each of the islands describing in words, illustrations and photographs the habitats and wildlife to be found, highlighting some of the strange breeding strategies of the archipelago's birds with breathtaking illustrations. The second half of the book is a detailed field guide with sketches and more finished paintings, photographs and maps."

Breeding Birds of Southern Africa

Peter Steyn

1997

"Over 700 bird species breed in southern Africa: a mixture of resident and migrant birds in a huge range of habitat. Steyn, the author of several important works on African birds, brings his extensive knowledge, gained from over 45 years of study, to the multitude of species included in this large format book. His meticulous text and excellent photographs capture the nesting strategies and courtship behaviour of over 90 groups of birds - from ostriches to buntings. The information is presented in an easily digestible form and there are charts and tables for at-a-glance reference. A key reference work."

British Birds: Their Names, Folklore and Literature

Francesca Greenoak

1997

"Species by species, this text delves into this heritage of bird lore, discussing the origin of the bird's name, any regional variations in that name, and any folklore attached to that species. Alongside this it provides examples of the role particular species have played in poetry and prose."

The Hummingbirds of North America

Paul A. Johnsgard

2nd edition

1997

"Hummingbirds are found only in the New World and encompass a variety of specializations. This volume covers the identification, distribution and biology of the hummingbirds of North America. It includes 25 Mexican species. Full species-by-species accounts survey the evolutionary history, anatomical and physiological specializations, and comparative ecology, behaviour, and reproductive biology of this largest family of non-passerine birds."

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 and Climate Change

John F. Burton

1995

"Climatic change has a profound effect on the distribution of animals and plants. for instance, between 1850 and 1950, a period of climatic amelioration, Britain gained several new species from southern and eastern Europe, including Collared Dove, Celti's Warbler, Savi's Warbler, Firecrest and Golden Oriole. The situation has been further complicated by the "greenhouse effect", with northern and southern species "invading" Britain. This study traces and explains the changes in bird distribution in the Northern Hemisphere, with special reference to Britain and Europe, relating them not only to climatic change, but also to other environmental factors."

Birds Of Islay

Richard E. Elliott

1989

"Islay is the most southerly island of the Hebrides lying 24 kilometres from Kintyre on mainland Britain, across the approaches to the Sound of Jura. It has an area of 615 square kilometres. For this book, the author presents a collation of facts about the birds and some ways in which they interact with human aspirations. The main part of this book is based on the ornithological records accumulated by C.Gordon Booth from 1968 to 1985. Accounts of the occurrence of both regular and vagrant birds seen here together with migration, the history of habitats and the problems of conservation in association with the island community are also discussed."

The Wheatear

Peter Conder

Helm Field Guide

Christopher Helm Publishers Ltd

1989

This book is primarily based on research on the island of Skokholm Pembrokeshire coast. The main section of deals with the breeding biology of the Northern Wheatear describing nest building, size of nest, role of sexes in the building, size of eggs, clutch sizes, effects of climate and the development of nestlings. The book also discusses the migration of the bird. Includes illustrations, charts, graphs and diagrams.

The Mute Swan

Mike Birkhead and Christopher Perrins

Christopher

1988

Describes the history, habitat, and range of the Mute Swan in Britain, explains why there is a decline in their population, and looks at their behavior and life cycle.

Birds in Mallorca

John Busby

1988

"An illustrated account of this popular birdwatching island, by one of the finest living bird artists. It gives his personal account of the birds likely to be encountered on the island."

Birdwatching in Britain: A Site by Site Guide

Simon Harrap and Nigel Redman

1987

The Birds of Yorkshire

John R. Mather

1986

George Lodge: Artist Naturalist

Editor: John Savory

1986

Sections include:

• Introductory essay - John Savory
• Lodge the Man, a Biography - David Bannerman
• Changing Methods of Book Illustration - Christine Jackson
• Lodge the Falconer and Other Memories - Phillip Glasier
• Lodge the Artist in Perspective - Donald Watson
• Some Observations on Painting Birds - George Lodge

The Heron's Handbook

James Hancock and James Kushlan

Christopher Helm

1984

A guide to the biology, behaviour and identification of Herons, Egrets and Bitterns. This book is based on Herons Of The World (1978).

Bird Island: Pictures From A Shoal Of Sand

Lars Jonsson

1984