- Hardcover: 608 pages
- Publisher: Princeton University Press (4 Jan 1976)
- Language English
- ISBN-10: 0856610984
- ISBN-13: 978-0856610981
- Product Dimensions: 23.8 x 16 x 3.4 cm
- Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 258,647 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- See Complete Table of Contents
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Product Description
Book Description
This book presents the most complete and up-to-date guide for the recognition of the diurnal raptors of Europe and the Middle East. More than 700 high quality color photographs have been specifically chosen to demonstrate the plumage of each age and sex class of every species found in Europe and the Middle East. The photographs are complemented by almost 100 line drawings focusing on particular identification details, and are backed up by a detailed text enabling birdwatchers to recognize even the most difficult species. The latest information, much of it previously unpublished, describes the plumage and soft part coloration of each category of bird, and compares and contrasts with similar plumages of species which may cause confusion. The book discusses the difficulties caused by stage of moult, variation in light conditions, and changes in silhouette arising from different flight types. Fully referenced with a list of nearly 300 key papers and articles, this book is an essential reference to the field identification of every species, age, and sex class of raptors.
Key Features:
* The first comprehensive collection of photographs of European raptors showing all plumages of species in the field
* Descriptions of every age class of each sex
* More than 700 high quality color photographs and 100 line drawings
* Valuable notes comparing difficult-to-identify species
Species List:
Osprey (Pandion haliaetus). Honey Buzzard (Pernis apivorus). Black-shouldered Kite (Elanus caeruleus). Red Kite (Milvus milvus). Black Kite (Milvus migrans). White-tailed Eagle (Haliaeeutus albicilla). Bearded Vulture or Lammergeier (Gypaetus barbatus). Egyptian Vulture (Neophron perenopterus). Griffon Vulture (Gyps fulvus). Black Vulture (Aegypius monachus). Lappet-faced Vulture (Torgos tracheliotus). Short-toed Eagle (Circaetus gallicus). Marsh Harrier (Circus aeruginosus). Hen Harrier (Circus cyaneus). Pallid Harrier (Circus macrourus). Montagu's Harrier (Circus pygargus). Levant Sparrowhawk (Accipiter brevipes). Sparrowhawk (Accipiter nisus). Goshawk (Accipiter gentilis). Common Buzzard (Buteo buteo). Steppe Buzzard (Buteo buteo vulpinus). Long-legged Buzzard (Buteo rufinus). Rough-legged Buzzard (Buteo lagopus). Lesser Spotted Eagle (Aquila pomarina). Greater Spotted Eagle (Aquila clanga). Steppe Eagle (Aquila nipalensis). Spanish Imperial Eagle (Aquila adalberti). Eastern Imperial Eagle (Aquila heliaca). Golden Eagle (Aquila chrysaetos). Bonelli's Eagle (Hieraaetus fasciatus). Booted Eagle (Hieraaetus pennatus). Lesser Kestrel (Falco naumanni). Kestrel (Falco tinnunculus). Red-footed Falcon (Falco vespertinus). Eleonora's Falcon (Falco eleonorae). Sooty Falcon (Falco concolor). Merlin (Falco columbarius). Hobby (Falco subbuteo). Lanner Falcon (Falco biarmicus). Saker Falcon (Falco cherrug). Gyr Falcon (Falco rusticolus). Peregrine Falcon (Falco peregrinus). Barbary Falcon (Falco peregrinus pelegrinoides).
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
18 of 18 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Informative and clear,
By A Customer
This review is from: The Raptors of Europe and the Middle East: A Handbook of Field Identification (Poyser) (Hardcover)
A very informative book with good descriptions of the various raptor species including many colour photographs for each species (16 colour photgraphs of a Hen Harrier for example)which is invaluable since many raptor species seem to exhibit very varied plumage colours and this level of species illustration aids definitive identification. Other bird guides just do not have enough pictures from enough angles and this book is excelllent in comparison. Identification is aided further by detailed text covering moult pattern, aging and sexing techniques and confusion species. I cannot really fault this book and have used it again and again. It is very detailed but the text is broken down into small bite sized pieces making it very accessible and easy to read. If you want to get to know your raptors better and want to know exactly which kind of buzzard you're looking at then I recommend this book.
6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Must have for every birder interested in raptor identification,
This review is from: The Raptors of Europe and the Middle East: A Handbook of Field Identification (Poyser) (Hardcover)
Raptors are among the most popular groups of birds. One reason is their majestic appearance. A Golden Eagle for example is simply one the most fascinating birds a birder can see. Many bird watchers also like the challenge of identifying those birds. Although some are very easy to identify (like Ospreys, adult White-tailed Eagles or Red Kites), many are a challenge even for experienced birders (for example the Lesser and Greater Spotted Eagles or the big falcons).
And because many raptors need several years to reach adult plumage, it can be very interesting (and fun) to find out how old a raptor is. A traditional field guide can not cover every raptor in such details because there are many other birds to describe. If you want to be a real expert in identifying raptors, you need a specialized field guide devoted only to raptors. There are currently two such guide guide which I can highly recommend. One is the book described here by Dick Forsman, the other is by William Clark and John Schmitt (come back in one or two weeks for a review about this one). Dick Forsman's book is a huge one with many excellent color photographs of all raptors of Europe and the Middle East. The pictures are of high quality and they show every important plumage of the birds. Below every picture is a description of the important things to look at in the picture. Beside the wonderful pictures, every raptor is described by a very detailed (but easy to read) description of the field characteristics of each species. The text gives information on length and wing-span, an identification summary for every bird and then describes in detail how to identify the bird in flight, when perched, different color morphs, bare parts like bill and feet, moult and how to age and identify the sex of the bird. This book is the bible of European raptor identification and an absolute must have for every serious birder. If you are just about to begin bird watching, start with a "normal" field guide. But when you are able to distinguish a Common Buzzard from a White-tailed Sea Eagle, get this book. You will not regret it.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews on Amazon.com (beta) Amazon.com:
5.0 out of 5 stars (1 customer review) 3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
All you need to identify raptors in Europe(almost!),
By A Customer - Published on Amazon.com
This review is from: The Raptors of Europe and the Middle East: A Handbook of Field Identification (Poyser) (Hardcover)
When I heard about this book I knew that I'd end up buying it,as I am a raptor fanatic(unfortunately its use is limited here in Ireland, as only three raptor species are in any way common,and very few migrant raptors occur) All of the regular European species(plus Lappet-faced Vulture) are depicted,with the number of photos seemingly varying in proportion to difficulty of identification.The text is fairly technical,but readable enough,and there isn't an excess of jargon(thank God!)I first used it to age a Marsh Harrier this January as an adult female,and in this respect it was of great use. It also helped me to tentatively age a Buzzard in late Feb. as a 2nd-year bird.I have yet to be confronted by a raptor which I actually haven't identified to species before consulting this book, but if I do I would turn to this book straight away.Also,many of the photos are superb,and whet the appetite for species that I have yet to see (all but eight of them!)The section at the start about moult etc. is extremely interesting also.If you live in Europe and have an interest in raptors,buy this book.Now,about that trip to the continent.......
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