Hand Guide to the Birds of New Zealand (Paperback)

~ Hugh Robertson (Author), Barrie Heather (Author), Derek J. Onley (Illustrator) "Small group of distinctive flightless and generally nocturnal birds..." (more)
Key Phrases: tropical vagrant, circumpolar subantarctic, fine black bill, Rare Australian, Rare Arctic, Breeds Arctic (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Review

"the standard indentification book for the birds of this wonderful country" Birding World

Product Description

This is a more portable, updated edition of the original Field Guide to the Birds of New Zealand. The original edition was published in two parts; the first containing an identification guide with color plates and distribution maps, the second giving more detailed information on the biology and ecology of the species described. The current book combines the two sections into one book of plates, maps, short descriptions, introduction and a section on where to find the birds. It is a smaller, more manageable guide - perfect for field work and birding for pleasure.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 168 pages
• Publisher: Oxford University Press, USA (March 22, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 019850831X
• ISBN-13: 978-0198508311
• Product Dimensions: 8.5 x 5.9 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #171,022 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The only bird book I carry, July 26, 2005

By	Frank King (Christchurch, NZ) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I had no experience with ornithology or bird-watching and I wanted to learn. I bought every NZ bird book in the store. This is the one I found most usefull, with its detailed descriptions and detailed images. The binding is robust enough to survive being carried in my pack since 2002.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Hand Guide to the Birds of New Zealand, March 10, 2006

By	Ann M. Bancroft "AMBB" (Maryland) - See all my reviews

Great book. There are excellent pictures and useful information. Information on where you are likely to find the birds...Fun to read while planning a trip.

5.0 out of 5 stars Best Portable ID Guide, October 8, 2009

By	D. R. Nightingale "keanz.net" (New Zealand) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This excellent guide contains 74 watercolour paintings that depict all 328 species, and most sub-species, of birds officially recorded in the New Zealand region (including offshore islands)and juvenile forms too. On the page opposite each colour plate is a distribution map (if the species illustrated breed in NZ) and sufficient plumage and behavioural details to help you identify the species and gender of the birds you see in the field.

The paintings in this book are exactly the same in size and number as in "The Field Guide to the Birds of New Zealand", a much thicker book by the same authors/illustrator. The thicker book contains extra information on the biology and ecology of the species described - but I think the "Hand Guide" is a better choice for the field than the "Field Guide" as it is lighter and more concise (it also has a protective plastic cover).

If you get the "Hand Guide to the Birds of New Zealand" and the essential "Birds of New Zealand: A Locality Guide" by Stuart Chambers ([...]), you will have all the books you need for birding in NZ.

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