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Collins Bird Guide [Hardcover]

Lars Svensson , Killian Mullarney , Dan Zetterstrom , Peter J. Grant
4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (232 customer reviews)
RRP: £50.00
Price: £40.00 & this item Delivered FREE in the UK with Super Saver Delivery. See details and conditions
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Hardcover, 29 Sep 2011 £40.00  
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Book Description

29 Sep 2011 000744902X 978-0007449026 Large Format Second edition

Following on from its hugely successful launch in 1999, Collins Bird Guide – the ultimate reference book for bird enthusiasts – now enters its second edition.

With expanded text and additional colour illustrations, the second edition of the hugely successful Collins Bird Guide is a must for every birdwatcher.

The book provides all the information needed to identify any species at any time of the year, covering size, habitat, range, identification and voice. Accompanying every species entry is a distribution map and illustrations showing the species in all the major plumages (male, female, immature, in flight, at rest, feeding: whatever is important).

In addition, each group of birds includes an introduction which covers the major problems involved in identifying or observing them: how to organise a sea watching trip, how to separate birds of prey in flight, which duck hybrids can be confused with which main species. These and many other common birdwatching questions are answered.

The combination of definitive text, up-to-date distribution maps and superb illustrations, all in a single volume, makes this book the ultimate field guide, essential on every bookshelf and birdwatching trip.


Frequently Bought Together

Collins Bird Guide + Collins Tree Guide + Collins Flower Guide
Price For All Three: £75.20

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Product details

  • Hardcover: 448 pages
  • Publisher: Collins; Large Format Second edition edition (29 Sep 2011)
  • Language: Unknown
  • ISBN-10: 000744902X
  • ISBN-13: 978-0007449026
  • Product Dimensions: 31.2 x 22.6 x 3.8 cm
  • Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (232 customer reviews)
  • Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 195,001 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Product Description

Review

“The combination of definitive text, up-to-date distribution maps and superb illustrations, all in a single volume, makes this book the ultimate field guide, essential on every bookshelf and birdwatching trip.” The Birdbooker Report

From the Publisher

Reviews of the prize winning field guide
Winner of the British Birds/British Trust for Ornithology Bird Book of the Year and Birdwatch Book of the Year

our standard guide for many years to come - BBC Wildlife

As essential as binoculars - New Scientist

it really is a very good book - RSPB Birds

The richest and most comprehensive of the current guides - The Times --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.


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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews
50 of 50 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars The best guide I've seen 3 Oct 2006
Format:Paperback
Since being a child I've been borrowing my dad's weatherbeaten copy of Bertel Bruun's masterpiece, without ever finding an adequate replacement.

This one's finally taken over, crammed with beautiful photos, informative text, and great little touches that make identification easier. There's plenty of extra drawings of species' behaviour to get rid of the unavoidable "stuffed animal" nature of bird plates, and each species has a description of song. There's even an easy to read guide to help you ascertain how common British species are. Yes it's pretty crammed, but all with relevant information, in a book that's deserved to be the new standard for birdwatchers everywhere.

Dad, you can have your book back now.
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36 of 36 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars Proabably the best bird guide in the world 9 July 2007
Format:Paperback
If you looking for a guide to help identify the birds you will see in Britain or Western Europe this is it.
***Buy this book before you consider buying any other bird guide***
Why?
Firstly you should never buy a bird guide that uses just photographs to show the birds. Take my word for it they will never in one photograph be able to show perfectly every feature required for correct id or capture colour variations accurately. The illustrations in this book show every detail perfectly, highlighting the relevant features, showing similar species together, covering male/female/juvenile plumages where necessary and importantly in accurate colour.
2, The descriptions are superb, every distinguishing plumage or vocal detail covered, telling you exactly what you need to know.
3, Useful detail is given about the status of the species, whether it is resident, a migratory visitor or a rare vagrant.
4, Maps showing likely range of each bird are shown, including colour detail that shows whether it is likely to be present all-year, winter or summer.
In summary this is a monumental effort by the authors to create the perfect bird guide in book form. As the owner of dozens of bird guides, I can say this is as close as I have seen.
I repeat, you should buy this before buying any other Bird Guide.
A copy of this book and a good audio guide to songs and calls is all you should need to identify the vast majority of birds you will see in the area covered by it.
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59 of 60 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars The best! 12 Jan 2007
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
Put purely and simply, this is the best bird identification guide I have ancountered. I have many different ones and they all have their charms but for a truly amazing, comprehensive and detailed list of all the birds of Britain and Europe, this wins hands down. The illustrations are beautiful, and incredibly accurate, with details of all plumages (summer/winter/adult/sub-adult/juvenile), and details of sub-species. General behaviour, physical description, and calls and songs are all detailed superbly. I haven't even had this book for 24 hours yet and already I love it - that says quite alot, I think!
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114 of 117 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars The best field guide to any avifauna 8 Nov 2005
Format:Paperback
This book emerged onto a highly competitive market already burgeoning with numerous field guides, most by renowned authors and many having benefitted from improvement over several editions. Quite simply though, this book won instant recognition as the best field guide available for Europe - and perhaps a model for field guides everywhere. Its authors are well known experts in their field having spent many years studying and publishing on the birds of the region. However, the key to the guide's success is the fact that so much more useful information has been condensed into a guide which is much the same size as existing books. The book boasts excellent illustrations, succinct text and handy maps, all presented on a the same page. Small enough to fit into a pocket and cheap, it is a must for anyone even remotely interested in British or European birds. Don't hesitate!
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71 of 73 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars The best bird guide......... 27 July 2004
By A Customer
Format:Paperback
I bought this book on recommendation from this website.
It is an excellent guide, the drawings are first class.
I am only a part time bird watcher mainly from my kitchen window and the occasional walk in the local wood.
But this book has been invaluable to me.
Buy it you won't be disappointed.
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16 of 16 people found the following review helpful
By ME
Format:Paperback
In short - if you want an identification guide to European birds this is easily the best available to date.

On the cover it says 'The most complete field guide to the birds of Britain and Europe' and (at least at the present time) this is certainly true. The book is a little large to fit in most pockets - but all birdwatchers should be encouraged to carry a field notebook anyway (leave this book in the car, or at home or your hotel!) - if you do want to carry a guide with you it will fit in some large coat pockets, or easily into a backpack.

The illustrations, which are on the page facing the text and maps for each species, are excellent and show the birds in a variety of different positions (often including in flight), and illustrate all of the different plumages that are likely to be encountered. Important features are highlighted on the ilustrations by means of text captions and pointers.

The text is concise and contains all the most important information on identification and size, including verbal descriptions of songs and calls (often calls confirm an otherwise uncertain bird identification). Anyone who is not used to bird guides, and the birds themselves, will probably find that the phonetics mean very little - however if you have already heard the species being described they form an accurate reminder.

Anyone who uses a PDA may wish to consider the e-guide version, which has all the ilustrations and information from the book + recordings of the birds songs and calls - personally I find a book and CD (or MP3 files) easier!!
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars good guide
great service relacement book for on left abroad drawings excellent text of best quality would highly recomend to people thanks
Published 3 hours ago by michael jackson
5.0 out of 5 stars best bird quide
really good bird guide. in depth but not overpowering, with all the species you would need for britain and most of europe.
Published 3 days ago by Christopher Lycett
5.0 out of 5 stars A mine of information
What a comprehensive guide with sufficientl detail to identify even the most perplexing bird sighting. Great value for money and highly recommended
Published 3 days ago by Beulahman
4.0 out of 5 stars Excellent
This was recommended by a friend and is really good, it shows birds in vary colours at different times of the day and year.
Published 6 days ago by Pamela Sceal
5.0 out of 5 stars Perfection
As an owner of various Bird guides down the years I can very comfortably say that this is as good as they come. Read more
Published 7 days ago by Ricardo
5.0 out of 5 stars BIRD I.D
excellent book for people who want to know more about bird identification, and habitats. Can learn a lot from its contents.
Published 9 days ago by D. Berry
5.0 out of 5 stars Collins Bird Guide 2 second Edition
Superb large format version guide with good identification tips and distribution maps. Dan Zetterstrom's illustrations are excellent with usefull postures and plumage variations. Read more
Published 17 days ago by PaulC
5.0 out of 5 stars The complete guide to birds
The new plates in this revised edition are superb, and bring the guide up to date with new species that have been recently split or upgraded to full species status, it covers all... Read more
Published 21 days ago by A. Conway
5.0 out of 5 stars The best
This is the best pocket sized bird guide for use anywhere in Europe so far. The illustrations are very clear and accurate.
Published 25 days ago by pn5842@aquila29.freeserve.co.uk
4.0 out of 5 stars Bargin
Excellent price and delivered in time, comprehensive guide, accurate pictures and information, handy size easy to carry in a rucksack for trips out
Published 26 days ago by Wanners
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