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The page gathers together photographic guide to birds or regions published by Helm. 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

Woodpeckers of the World: The Complete Guide

Gerard Gorman

Bloomsbury

2014

Published in North America as Woodpeckers of the World: A Photographic Guide

"This book is the first definitive guide to woodpeckers; it covers all 239 species. Detailed text looks in detail at the biology of the birds, with particular emphasis on field identification, along with voice, habitat, status, racial variation and distribution. The text is accompanied by a series of high-quality photographs – more than 750 images, carefully selected to highlight identification criteria. Each species entry is completed by an accurate colour range map. A sister to Owls of the World in the Helm Photographic Guides series, Woodpeckers of the World is an informative, fact-filled and beautifully illustrated guide to a group beloved by all birders."

Owls of the World: A Photographic Guide

Heimo Mikkola

Second edition

2013

"Owls of the World is the ultimate photographic resource dedicated to the identification of these charismatic, largely nocturnal birds of prey. This book contains lavish and spectacular photography from dozens of the world's finest natural history photographers, covering all of the world's 268 species of owls; particular attention is given to subspecific differences, sexing and ageing. The photos are accompanied by concise text on the identification, habitat, food, distribution and voice of these birds, along with accurate range maps. In this second edition, recent changes to owl taxonomy are incorporated with full descriptions (and images) of a number of new species, plus a several new photographs to improve this book's amazing photographic coverage still further."

A Photographic Guide to the Birds of the Cayman Islands

Patricia E Bradley & Yves-Jacques Rey-Millet

2013

"With a rich avifauna of more than 300 species, the three islands that make up the Cayman Islands – Grand Cayman, Little Cayman and Cayman Brac – form an increasingly popular birding destination. Although the islands' sole endemic species, Cayman Islands Thrush, was extinct by the 1940s, the islands have a healthy crop of regional scarcities and are an important migrant stopping point as they cross the Caribbean. Containing hundreds of stunning photographs by Yves-Jacques Rey-Millet, A Photographic Guide to the Birds of the Cayman Islands, the latest addition to Helm's Photographic Guides series, provides full photographic coverage of every species on the Cayman Islands list. Concise text for each species includes identification, similar species, voice, habitats and behaviour, status and distribution."

Owls of the World: A Photographic Guide

Heimo Mikkola

2012

"Owls of the World is the ultimate photographic resource dedicated to the identification of these charismatic, largely nocturnal birds of prey. This book contains lavish and spectacular photography from dozens of the world's finest natural history photographers, covering all of the world's 250 species of owls; particular attention is given to subspecific differences, sexing and ageing. The photos are accompanied by concise text on the identification, habitat, food, distribution and voice of these birds, along with accurate range maps."

A Photographic Guide to the Birds of Japan and East Asia

Tadao Shimba

2007

"Despite its rich avifauna and popularity with tourists, Japan has long been lacking a good English-language field guide. This new photographic guide will be the first book to cover the Japanese avifauna in English for over 25 years, and the first photoguide to the country in English. It will also include the birds of neighbouring mainland regions of eastern Asia, namely Korea, NE China and eastern Siberia. Over 520 species are illustrated with hundreds of stunning colour photographs. The text succinctly describes the key identification features and each species has a distribution map. This guide will be an essential companion for anyone visiting Japan or eastern Asia."

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."

Shorebirds of North America: The Photographic Guide

Dennis Paulson

2005

"Identifying shorebirds can be a challenge and having a field guide specifically devoted to this group gives any birder an edge. Yet until now, no guide has illustrated or described the complete range of North and Central American shorebirds. This beautifully illustrated volume represents the first complete guide to North and Central American shorebirds ever published. Unlike other guide books, which have traditionally relied on paintings to represent shorebirds, this one contains an extensive series of striking photographs - most never published before. More than 530 photos illustrate all shorebird species in their varied plumages, and are accompanied by text that points out the variation within each species. The book also includes identification tips and ways to distinguish shorebirds from all similar species, at rest and in flight. Brief descriptions of voice, behaviour, habitat, and range are given for each species."

Birds of the Mediterranean: A Photographic Guide

Paul Sterry

2004

"Covering all the species of birds occurring in the areas bordering the Mediterranean, this guide is illustrated throughout with photographs. The regions examined cover some of the most distinctive and bird-rich habitats in Europe, the Middle East and North Africa, places as popular with sun-seeking holiday-makers as they are with birders. Seeking to appeal to both audiences, the guide features photographs of the region's birdlife, with concise descriptive text on facing pages. Digital manipulation of the photographs has been used to ensure a consistent depiction of light conditions, making comparisons between the images easier."

A Photographic Guide to the Birds of India: Including Nepal, Sri Lanka, the Maldives, Pakistan, Bangladesh & Bhutan

Bikram Grewal, Bill Harvey and Otto Pfister

2003

"This guide covers 800 species found in India. Each species description is illustrated with a photograph and distribution map, making this a quick-reference guide in a pocketable format. Introductory sections include general information, such as the biogeography of the region covered."

A Photographic Guide to the Birds of Indonesia

Morton Strange

2003

"This guide covers almost 700 species found in Indonesia. Each species description is illustrated with a photograph and distribution map, making this a quick-reference guide in a pocketable format. Introductory sections include general information, such as the biogeography of the region covered."

A Photographic Guide to the Birds of Southeast Asia: Including the Philippines and Borneo

Morton Strange

2003

"This guide covers almost 700 species found in Southeast Asia, including the Philippines and Borneo. Each species is illustrated with a photograph and distribution map, making this a quick-reference guide in a pocketable format. Introductory sections include general information, such as the biogeography of the region covered."

A Photographic Guide to North American Raptors

William S. Clark and Brian K. Wheeler

2003

"North America boasts a great and bewildering variety of eagles, vultures, true hawks, buteonine hawks and falcons. This book illustrates all 42 diurnal raptors found in North America at rest and in flight, in male, female, adult, juvenile and sub-adult plumages, with all usual colour morphs depicted. This array of photographs is backed up by a concise text which highlights key fieldmarks, covers potential confusion species and gives other relevant information such as measurements, range and flight style."

Seabirds of the World: A Photographic Guide

Peter Harrison

1988

An identification guide to the seabirds of the world. For each species there are 2 to 4 photographs. Accompanying text describes the bird and provides information on habits and distribution. A distribution map is also provided for each species. General sections include descriptions of the 6 orders of seabirds and the anatomy of seabirds.