Illustrated Guide to the Birds of Southern Africa [Hardcover]

Ian Sinclair (Author), Phil Hockey (Author), Warwick Tarboton (Author), Peter Hayman (Illustrator), Norman Arlott (Illustrator)

Book Description

Publication Date: July 24, 1995

This is a comprehensive and up-to-date field guide to the birds of Southern Africa, featuring more than 4000 newly commissioned images. Intended to aid birders in identifying and distinguishing birds in one of the world's richest birding areas, the book depicts over 900 species, resulting in the most comprehensively illustrated field guide ever produced for Southern Africa. Although the region contains less than three percent of the world's land area, more than ten percent of the world's bird species breed here--more than in the whole of the United States and Canada combined.

The Guide is devoted to identification features of the different species, sexes, and ages of Southern African birds as well as to their calls and habitat preferences. Both text and plates emphasize the separation of potentially confusing species and identify features which assist in differentiation. Illustrations include as many different plumages of each species as possible to further assist in identification. Special attention has been paid in the illustrations to plumage variations of age, sex, and season and there are numerous depictions of birds in flight, especially where these pictures can aid the birder.

The informative text, written by eminent ornithologists, is fully integrated with the color plates to facilitate use in the field. The species accounts emphasize the essential characteristics of each bird, and distribution maps are included for each species. This guide is not only an unparalleled reference, but is a superb visual record of the rich variety of Southern Africa's birdlife.

Editorial Reviews

Review

Approximately 900 species--roughly 10% percent of the world's avifauna--with 133 being endemic or nearly so . . . This guide is a major contribution to Southern African ornithology and birding. It is essential for everyone interested in Southern African birdlife. Most highly recommended. -- Review

From the Inside Flap

"Presents a comprehensive set of illustrations unmatched not only for the region covered but for any part of Africa."--Dale A. Zimmerman, Western New Mexico University

Product Details

• Hardcover: 426 pages
• Publisher: Princeton University Press (July 24, 1995)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0691044694
• ISBN-13: 978-0691044699
• Product Dimensions: 8.6 x 6.2 x 1.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.3 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,098,525 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

19 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Best Field Guide To Birds Of Southern Africa, January 3, 2001

By 

Tony Dixon (Cape Town, South Africa) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Illustrated Guide to the Birds of Southern Africa (Hardcover)

I am an avid birder and own all the recognised field guides to birding in the Southern African region. I have used them all extensively and am convinced that the Illustrated Guide To the Birds Of Southern Africa stands head and shoulders above its rivals. I say this for the following reasons:-The combined knowledge of its authors cannot be matched as these are the Guru's of birding in the region with Ian Sinclair undoubtedly the most travelled,most experienced and most knowledgable expert of the lot.His co-authors not being far behind!The quality and accuracy of the distribution maps are, I believe, where the field guide steals a march over other similar guides.The quality of the illustrations which show all the major plumage variations as well as flight patterns makes this an invaluable guide to experienced and novice birders alike.There is currently simply no better book on the market than this one.