On this page

Birds of the Western Palearctic

Originally with the longer title Handbook of the Birds of Europe, the Middle East and North Africa: The Birds of the Western Palearctic this 9 volume series was published between 1978 and 1994. A two volume concise edition was published in 1998.

The series contains descriptions of over 770 species of birds occurring in the Western Palearctic. Sections are included on field characters, habitat, distribution, mortality, population (including maps of the breeding and wintering ranges), movements, food, social pattern and behaviour, breeding, voice, plumages, moults, measurements, weights, structure, and geographical variations.

The books are ordered by publication date with the most recent publications at the top of the page.

OUP pages on the site

Birds of the Western Palearctic

Handbook of Australian, New Zealand, and Antarctic Birds

Handbook of the Birds of India and Pakistan

Other field guides and h/books

Oxford Ornithology Series

Avian Biology Series

Threatened Birds (India)

Images of Asia (Birds)

Ecology & Evolution Series

Biology of Habitats Series

Techniques in Ecology & Conservation

Other bird related books

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.

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

Senior Editor: Stanley Cramp, C. M. Perrins

Executive editor: Duncan J. Brooks

Illustrations: Norman Arlott, Trevor Boyer, Ian Lewington and CE Talbot-Kelly

Oxford University Press

1994

Describes 61 species recorded in the Western Palearctic. Covers the new world warblers, tanagers, buntings and allies, cardinals, grosbeaks, new world blackbirds, and orioles and allies.

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

Senior Editor: Stanley Cramp, C. M. Perrins

Executive editor: Duncan J. Brooks

Illustrations: Hilary Burn, P.J.K. Burton, Ian Lewington, Darren Rees and Chris Rose

Oxford University Press

1994

Describes 73 species including crows and allies, starlings, sparrows, rock sparrows, snow finches, weavers and allies, waxbills, grassfinches, mannikens, vireos and finches.

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

Senior Editor: Stanley Cramp, C. M. Perrins

Executive editor: Duncan J. Brooks

Illustrations: Norman Allott, Kim Franklin, Alan Harris, Chris Rose

Oxford University Press

1993

Describes 45 species. Covers the flycatchers, tits, babblers, nuthatches, wallcreepers, treecreepers, sunbirds, golden oriole, and shrikes.

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

Chief Editor: Stanley Cramp

Illustrations: Norman Arlott, Hilary Burn, Dr P.J.K. Burton, Alan Harris, Viggo Ree, Laurel Tucker, D.I.M. Wallace

Oxford University Press

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. In total 114 species are described.

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

Chief Editor: Stanley Cramp

Illustrations: Norman Arlott, C.J.F. Coombs, N.W. Cusa, H. Delin, Robert Gillmor, Miss C.E. Talbot Kelly, D.I.M. Wallace

Oxford University Press

1985

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

Chief Editor: Stanley Cramp

Illustrations: Norman Arlott, Dr P.J.K. Burton, N.W. Cusa, Robert Gillmor, D.I.M. Wallace

Oxford University Press

1983

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

Chief Editor: Stanley Cramp

Oxford University Press

1979

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

Chief Editor: Stanley Cramp

Oxford University Press

1977