- Hardcover: 480 pages
- Publisher: Dorling Kindersley (10 Feb 2003)
- Language English
- ISBN-10: 0751373540
- ISBN-13: 978-0751373547
- Product Dimensions: 29.2 x 19.6 x 3.6 cm
- Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars See all reviews (24 customer reviews)
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 98,188 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- See Complete Table of Contents
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More About the Author
Product Description
Product Description
This guide uses an integrated photographic approach to profile the extraordinary range of birds found in the Western Palearctic region. With its comprehensive coverage, easy-to-use layout and visual impact, it should appeal to bird enthusiasts of all ages and levels of experience. The book opens with an introduction that offers a portrait of birds and their habitats. Covering evolution, anatomy and behaviour, it also describes how birds have adapted to different environments - from wetlands and rocky coasts to woodland and urban gardens. 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: adult/juvenile; male/female; and winter/summer. 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.
About the Author
Rob Hume is a writer, editor, artist, identification expert, and bird tour leader, and is much in demand for his expertise on birds. Rob has worked for the RSPB for 23 years, and now edits the society's magazine, Birds.
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
119 of 122 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
A solid, brick-like book, not one for carrying around in the field, but great for extra information and to pin down a specific identification. Easy to use and very clear - this has already become a firm favourite. Covering ecology as well as identification this book should be able to inform experts and beginners alike, without being boring or intimidating to either.
In keeping with the other RSPB guides, Complete Birds of Britain and Europe devotes a page to almost all British and European species, containing descriptive text, photographs and a line representation of the bird in flight. Male, female and juvenile are often depicted, with seasonal plumage and in flight pictures as well. An extensive checklist of much rarer species appears at the back.
The detail and authority of description exceeds that of other bird books, including the Collins guides. Rob Hume's efficiency in writing pocket books is evident here as he has used the same approach. The large pages are exploited to the limit and crammed full of information, but without feeling cluttered or inaccessible. However, where the RSPB books tower above their rivals is in the method of illustration. Large, clear photos are definitely my preference and the quality of photography is super, hence the top rating for the book - I haven't seen anything better.
46 of 48 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
An excellent guide to all European birds from Iceland to Israel plus all the vagrants that have visited. The best part of this book is that it has all photos. Some guide books have drawings or coloured illustrations which sometimes are far removed from the bird you want to identify. Having said that this is a hefty book and therefore is not much use in the field, the paperback is smaller and lighter but I prefer this even so. It has a lot of bird info at the front and is the best complete guide I have come across.
40 of 42 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
We come to expect quality books when they carry the RSPB name and logo and they do not let us down, my only slight quibble is that this particular book says on the front "UK's Best Selling field Guide." To my way of thinking it is a little large for a pocket guide. Carrying a camera field glasses is enough without a weighty book that you will struggle to get into a pocket.
Whether you are an armchair addict, or a twitcher of the first order, this guide and 70-minute CD are essential reference. The book and video introduce you to 800 species that are regularly and not so regularly found in Britain and Europe. The book contains beautiful photographs, including ones of the different plumages, both male, female and juvenile. There is information on habitat and virtually everything you need to know to obtain a true picture of each individual species.
Whether you are an armchair addict, or a twitcher of the first order, this guide and 70-minute CD are essential reference. The book and video introduce you to 800 species that are regularly and not so regularly found in Britain and Europe. The book contains beautiful photographs, including ones of the different plumages, both male, female and juvenile. There is information on habitat and virtually everything you need to know to obtain a true picture of each individual species.
Most Recent Customer Reviews
Complete birds of britain
This is a really lovely book which gives the reader all the information they needs about local birds. With this book to hand they will need no other.
Published 1 month ago by jocky
great book
if its a book on birds you are after this is the one not a field guide but a reference for home use
Published 4 months ago by Discerning
Good but CD is all wrong!
The book itself is great but could do with a little more information.. my old field guide from the 80's has more info on each bird than this! Read more
Published 4 months ago by Articuno
Superb Book
We bought this book for some friends for Christmas and were so impressed we bought one for ourselves too. Read more
Published 4 months ago by Chrisssie
Book Review
There are many "bird books" around -some of which I have. If you don't want to waste time (as I have done) and want just one good value bird book I would recommend this one. Read more
Published 9 months ago by Mr. S. C. Warburton
GREAT IN ALL ASPECTS
Great in all aspects. The photographs, the depictions of the birds distribution and their flight style.
a true piece of gold for your library.
a true piece of gold for your library.
Published 11 months ago by makis -Greece
Could Have Had More Text In It
This book could have contained more information on the birds that were on each page. I was quite disappointed by this to be honest. Read more
Published 18 months ago by zx50
RSPB Complete Birds of Britain and Europe
Purchased for a friend's birthday present - she was thrilled - and I might now buy one for myself.
Published 23 months ago by michael
RSPB Complete Birds - Customer Review
This book was bought as a birthday present for a friend who very much enjoys sitting in his garden/conservatory and watching the birds who visit it. Read more
Published 23 months ago by Mrs. Elizabeth Roberts
Brilliant Book
This is an excellent book, with lots of detail, great pictures and illustrations. This is a very large book, you will not be taking it on your ramble arround the countryside, it's... Read more
Published on 21 April 2010 by Stephen J. Jones
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