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RSPB Field Guides

The guides are arranged by publication date with the most recent at the top.

RSPB pages

Field Guides
Secret Lives series
Spotlight series
What's That series
Management guides
First Book Of series
County guides (1940/50's)
Other RSPB bird books

Further sections will be added

RSPB Handbook of Scottish Birds

Peter Holden and Stuart Housden

Second edition

Bloomsbury Publishing

2016

"This is a fully updated second edition of 2009's well reviewed RSPB Handbook of Scottish Birds detailing Scotland's rich birdlife. Over 250 species are covered in detail with one page per species, including Gaelic names newly added for this edition. The detailed distribution maps have been fully updated and show when birds are breeding, wintering or on migration. More than a thousand superb colour illustrations by some of the world's leading bird artists have been integrated into the text for easy reference at home or in the field. Each detailed species account includes information on identification, voice, habits, habitat, food, breeding ecology, seasonal movements, population and conservation."

RSPB Pocket Birds Of Britain and Europe

Rob Hume et al

4th edition

2017

"From the Sandwich Tern to the Short-toed Eagle, discover over 300 species of bird found in the UK and Europe with RSPB Pocket Birds. Crystal clear photographs bring the birds on the page to life, and notes on distinguishing features will help you identify different species of bird in the field. Learn all about them from their calls and feeding behaviour, nesting habits and habitats, and differences in plumage. This brand new edition includes a web link where you can hear common bird songs and calls to make identification even easier. Maps showing regions where each species can be found at what time of year will help you find the birds you are most interested in. This handy book is perfectly portable, making RSPB Pocket Birds the perfect companion for taking out in the field."

RSPB Birds of Britain and Europe

Rob Hume

4th edition

2014

This is a paperback edition of the 2013 RSPB Complete Birds of Britain and Europe

"RSPB Birds of Britain and Europe is a stunning, illustrated guide to Europe's bird species. It describes and illustrates bird characteristics and beautiful full colour photographs reveal individual species such as finches, martins and swallows with unrivalled clarity. RSPB Birds of Britain and Europe captures the beauty of birds, showing them in their varying plumage, making identification quick and effortless. 500 regularly seen species are featured with illustrations and up-to-date maps highlighting resident and migratory distributions so you know what species to expect and when, plus a CD with the sounds of 99 key bird species is included. Covering the characteristics of anatomy, life cycle, and behaviour, and providing a survey of the habitats in which birds live, RSPB Birds of Britain and Europe is an essential reference for the novice twitcher or the long-time birder."

RSPB Handbook of British Birds

Peter Holden and Tim Cleeves

4th edition

2014

"This is a revised and updated fourth edition of the bestselling RSPB Handbook of British Birds. This unique guide provides a 'biography' of each of the 280 commonest British bird species. It covers all aspects of field identification, using illustrations from the highly acclaimed Handbook of Bird Identification to show all common plumage forms. The text also covers behaviour, breeding biology, population, status, longevity and any other interesting facts about the species concerned. A detailed distribution map is provided for each species. The rarities section, featuring 26 additional species, has been updated and features two species new to this edition. Six comparison artwork spreads are included to help identify difficult to identify species - such as ducks, waders, warblers, raptors and gulls - alongside one another."

RSPB Complete Birds of Britain and Europe

Rob Hume

2013

"The ultimate photographic guide to every species of bird in Britain and Europe. Whether you're an armchair addict, or a long-time twitcher, RSPB Complete Birds of Britain and Europe is an essential reference to the 800 bird species found throughout Britain and Europe. Comes with a 70-minute CD of birdsong and calls so you can listen to many of the birds featured in this beautiful guide. See birds in their natural habitat and learn about characteristic behaviour with stunning photos showing adults in typical plumage, with male, female, juvenile and summer or winter variations to help you identify birds in the field quickly and easily. Explore up-to-date, colour-coded maps highlighting resident and migratory distributions so you know which species of birds to expect when you are out and about. Plus, this comprehensive reference book describes the characteristics of bird anatomy, reproduction, flight, song, and other forms of behaviour, ensuring you'll become an expert birdwatcher in no time."

RSPB Pocket Guide To British Birds

Simon Harrap

Second edition

2012

"This brand new edition of the best-selling field guide from the RSPB is compact, informative and beautifully illustrated, and features 215 of the most common birds found in Britain."

RSPB What's That Bird?: The Simplest ID Guide Ever

Rob Hume

2012

"RSPB What's That Bird? is ideal if you struggle to tell a swift from a swallow. It's the perfect pocket guide for beginners but also a handy reference for the more seasoned bird-watcher. Featuring over 150 common European birds, habitat overviews show you what to look for where and commonly confused birds are shown side by side for quick comparison and identification."

RSPB Pocket Birds Of Britain and Europe

Jonathan Elphick, John Woodward

3rd edition

2012

" This is the third edition of this pocket-sized guide to birds from the experts at the RSPB. From the Sandwich Tern to the Short-toed Eagle discover over 320 species of bird found in the UK and Europe with "RSPB Pocket Birds". Close-up photographs and notes on distinguishing features will help you identify different species of bird in the field. Learn all about them from their calls and feeding behaviour to nesting habits and habitats. Maps showing regions where each species can be found at what time of year will help you find the birds you are most interested in. It fits easily into a pocket. "RSPB Pocket Birds" is perfect for taking out in the field."

RSPB Birds of Britain and Europe

Rob Hume

2011

"The ultimate photographic guide to the birds of Europe. Produced with the RSPB, Birds of Britain and Europe is a stunning, illustrated guide to Europe's bird species. Describes and illustrates bird characteristics and beautiful full colour photographs reveal individual species with unrivalled clarity. With features on over 500 regularly seen species with illustrations and maps, plus an audio DVD with specially commissioned birdsong and calls. Including the characteristics of anatomy, life cycle, and behaviour, and provides a survey of the habitats in which birds live, this will appeal to all levels of birdwatchers and enthusiasts."

RSPB Handbook of British Birds

Peter Holden and Tim Cleeves

2010

" This is a completely revised and updated edition of the bestselling RSPB Handbook of British Birds. This unique guide provides a 'biography' of each of the 279 commonest British bird species. It covers all aspects of field identification, using illustrations from the highly acclaimed Handbook of Bird Identification to show all common plumage forms. The text also covers behaviour, breeding biology, population, status, longevity and any other interesting facts about the species concerned. A detailed distribution map is provided for each species. New to the third edition is a rarities section, featuring 24 additional species, and six brand new comparison artwork spreads illustrating difficult to identify species - such as ducks, waders, warblers, raptors and gulls - alongside one another. The RSPB Handbook provides a complete, single source of basic information to our most familiar birds."

RSPB Pocket Birds Of Britain and Europe

Jonathan Elphick, John Woodward

2009

"New edition of this pocket-sized guide to birds from the experts at the RSPB – Europe's largest conservation organisation. From the Sandwich Tern to the Short-toed Eagle discover over 320 species of bird found in the UK and Europe. Close-up photographs and notes on distinguishing features will help you identify different species of bird in the field. Learn all about them from their calls and feeding behaviour to nesting habits and habitats. Maps showing regions where each species can be found at what time of year will help you find the birds you are most interested in. Fits easily into a pocket – take it out in the field when you're spotting."

RSPB Complete Birds of Britain and Europe

Rob Hume

2009

"Whether you are an armchair addict, or a bird-watching pioneer this guide and 70-minute CD are essential reference. Use them to discover all about the 800 species regularly found in Britain and Europe as well as rarer varieties. See birds in their natural habitat and learn about characteristic behaviour. Stunning photos show adults in typical plumage, with male, female, juvenile and summer or winter variations helping you to identify birds in the field quickly and easily. Explore up-to-date, colour-coded maps highlighting resident and migratory distributions so you know which species to expect when you are out and about. Every fact and image is fully authenticated by the RSPB making this a must-have for bird enthusiasts of all levels."

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."

RSPB Pocket Guide To British Birds

Simon Harrap

2007

"A compact, informative and beautifully illustrated RSPB guide to 174 of the most common birds found in Britain. This new pocket handbook will easily be the best value and highest quality British bird guide available within this price range. The RSPB Pocket Guide to Birds will feature concise descriptions of each bird's main characteristics including plumage, calls and song, confusion species, habitat, distribution and status, and behaviours. The brand new text, from Simon Harrap, is being written to highlight the detailed artworks. This easy-to-use guide features a species per page, including a colour distribution map."

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.

RSPB Complete Birds of Britain and Europe

Rob Hume

2002

In this guide the 320 species most commonly seen in Britain and Europe have full-page coverage, comprising of a large photograph of each bird in its most frequently observed plumage with supporting images showing the most important plumage variations. Additional illustrations reveal the characteristic appearance of each bird in flight, while "in situ" views portray a range of behaviours and habits. Similar-looking species and subspecies are also pictured, for comparison. In each species profile, key features are highlighted by annotation around each picture and further details of voice, nesting, feeding, migration, habitat, nomenclature, physical statistics, social grouping, behaviour, lifespan and conservation status are presented in jargon-free text. Distribution is shown in colour-coded maps. In addition to the main species, over 200 less common and peripheral birds are also illustrated and described, while a further 276 very rare and introduced species are concisely profiled.

The RSPB Guide to British Birds

Peter Holden, J.T.R. Sharrock, Hilary Burn

2002

The latest revision of this RSPB endorsed beginner's guide to British birds. It covers 300 of the most commonly found birds in Britain and Ireland in a compact and easy-to-use format. Each species is beautifully illustrated in colour in its characteristic habitat with identification tips and background notes. In addition the book carries a unique section on where to watch birds on RSPB reserves, including full details of opening times and how to get there. For the new edition, both the text and the maps have been revised and brought completely up to date to reflect changes in breeding and wintering patterns.

The RSPB Book Of British Birds

Peter Holden, J.T.R. Sharrock

Macmillan

1988

A new edition with revised text and distribution 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 RSPB Book Of British Birds

Peter Holden, J.T.R. Sharrock

Papermac

1984

RSPB Book Of Garden Birds

Linda Bennett

1978

With 36 colour plates by Charles Tunnicliffe and line drawings by Robert Gillmor.

What's That Bird? A Guide to British Birds

Peter Hayman and Michael Everett

1978

The RSPB Guide To British Birds

David Saunders

Hamlyn

1975