One of Birdwatch's Outstanding Bird Books for 1998


"The photos are particularly well chosen to represent different shapes, plumages, and ages. . . . It is hard to find fault with Forsman; this is a major work which will provide a benchmark for many years."--Birding



"This guide to the identification of European birds of prey has been long-awaited by raptor enthusiasts everywhere. . . . The book is as authoritative as expected from Forsman's previously published work, and is difficult to fault. . . . The quality of the plates is unfailingly high, and each has been carefully chosen to illustrate a particular identification feature. To date, there has not been such a collection of photographs available within a single book. . . . Raptor enthusiasts the world over owe Forsman a debt of gratitude for this enormous labor of love; it is destined to become a classic and an essential item of baggage, especially for anyone contemplating a stopover at any of the raptor migration hotspots in Europe or the Middle East."--E.R. Meek, Quarterly Review of Biology



"It possesses all the hallmarks of a classic work. An initial perusal indicates that a well-produced gallery of photographs and quality typesetting and design have supported the detailed keynote text. I can imagine few Western Palearctic birders with a serious general interest in field identification not wanting to own this guide."--Guy Kirwan, Birding World



"An essential buy for everyone who expects to see and hopes to identify an unfamiliar bird-of-prey within the area covered. . . . [A] magnificent achievement."--J.T.R. Sharrock, British Birds



"The principal illustrations are photographs--a wonderful collection of invaluable references. An essential book that prepares you for encounters with the birds and puts order into your field notes in a very helpful and reassuring way."--Birdwatcher's Yearbook 2000



"If you are a dedicated raptorphile, or have a special interest in European hawks, this is a book you will want to own. It is a detailed guide to the field identification of hawks, well-written and organized. The photographs are clear and sharp details show well; the high quality paper and printing helps to bring this feat off. There is a fine section in the introduction on how to identify hawks in the field."--Bird Watcher's Digest



"[A]n excellent book, recommended to 'birders' traveling to the areas covered as well as libraries, both university and public, where there is ornithological interest."--Choice



"If you take your hawk-watching seriously then this book will add to your enjoyment of a fascinating group of birds."--Charles E. Keller, Indiana Audubon Quarterly



"Apart from the excellent text, this new guide stands out by its 737 color photographs. This is certainly the best ever photographic raptor guide currently available of (one of) the foremost raptologists, which it will probably remain for many years to come."--Oscar van Rootselaar, Alula

This volume presents a comprehensive guide for the recognition of the diurnal raptors of Europe and the Middle East. Photographs demonstrate the plumage of each age and sex class of every species found in Europe and the Middle East. Line drawings focus on particular identification details and are backed up by detailed text, enabling bird-watchers to recognize difficult species.