Field Guide to Birds of Australia [Hardcover]

This is a review of the previous edition, originally posted in February 2004. But as there has not been one for the present edition, I have copied it here with some adjustments. The changes of the new edition have not been that great. And this fabulous book definitely deserves a recommendation. I originally gave the book four stars, but after having used it in the field (see my edit at the bottom), it definitely deserves five stars.

I originally bought this book mostly for reasons of bird art, as I had no immediate plans to visit Australia. The book's layout is of the now conventional and convenient type, with illustrations and text plus range maps on facing pages. As there are usually only three or four species on a page, there is relatively much space for text. The range maps function on a "all or nothing" basis, i.e. more detailed info on a bird's status has to be gleaned from the text. The book tries to follow the most recent systematic order, it seems. This has some rather inconvenient consequences, however. For example, the very similarly looking quails and button-quails appear on pages 23 and 161 respectively!

The book is actually not a true field guide as it is too large to take to the field (unless you carry it in a rucksack). Just OK to have in the car or at home. That is a shame. The book is in the same size league as the original Sibley guide for North America. For this reason, I only gave it four stars originally.

As I originally bought the book for its illustrations, I'd like to comment a bit more about these: I can now praise their overall accuracy, but I was at first rather disappointed about their variable quality. One would certainly not think that all the plates were done by the same artist. Just compare pages 115 and 117, for example. Overall, on some plates the birds seem to come alive, whereas on others they are very two-dimensional. I.e. they appear very flat. Some birds like the Lesser Noddy appear overly slim. And, while some bird pictures are rather smallish, there are some that are rather too large. The storm-petrels on page 93 are a case in point, giving the plate a crowded appearance. But those drawings are otherwise of superb quality.

I emphasise these differences of the plates because there is usually considerable criticism when a new field guide comes out that has its plates done by several artists. Here, we find similar differences within the work done by the same artist. It is clear that doing all the artwork for such a book is a monumental task. And even a good artist is not always equally disposed, I would assume. And then, there is probably the pressure of a publishing schedule. However, what counts in the end are the pictures we all have to look at and work with for years. Thus, spreading the task does not seem to be such a bad way to do it, after all. That is, as long as you have several good artists with the available time. But it also means that it is a sensible solution to use the same good illustrations for several books, as has recently been done in the field guide to the Birds of Africa South of the Sahara.

One thing that keeps puzzling me - not only with respect to this field guide - is the fact that there is contents included that does not help in the field at all. Thus, we find here a lengthy chapter called "family introductions", the kind of info one would expect in an "encyclopaedia" type book. Also, what good is a long literature list in a field guide?

EDIT 18 March 2009: I would like to add a comment after more than five years. I have since had a chance to visit Australia extensively. And this book not only was my main source for preparing the birding part of the trip (I did have others available). But it was also an excellent companion in the field, contrary to my reservations stated above.

This is a truly excellent guide to the birds of Australia. The illustrations are first rate, the descriptions of the birds are equally valuable and the distribution maps are easy to interpret. If you are going to Australia with birding as the primary intention this would be an ideal choice.
The illustrations do not have the pointers to field marks that some other bird guides use, but this is only a minor issue. Another reviewer raises the issue of the size of the book and this is a reasonable point, even more so because this version appears to be in hard back. Second hand versions of the soft-backed versions are available The Pizzey Field Guide to Australian Birds (Collins Pocket Guide), and if bulk is a concern they may be a better bet.
Simpson and Day Field Guide to the Birds of Australia (Helm Field Guides)offers an alternative and equally excellent option, and it is a little less bulky than this book.
If you intend to visit Australia and you may do a day or two of birding, but it is not the major reason for the visit you may wish to consider the Slater Field guide The Slater Field Guide to Australian Birds- this is a much more compact guide, but the illustrations are not as clear as either of the guides mentioned above.
So: Pizzey is a little bulky, but absolutely first class and highly recommended. Simpson is smaller (but hardly compact) and almost equally as good. Slater is much more compact (larger pocket size), but has weaker illustrations.

Very Big and Very Beautiful.
Buy if you really need the best guide to Oz birds.

Out in the field use the excellent
The Pocket Field Guide to Australian Birds
it is rather more pocketable and handy.

Leaving to live in Oz next month, I can not wait to use both these babies
!!