Field Guide to the Birds of the Middle East (Princeton Field Guides) (Paperback)

~ (Author), S. Christensen (Author), P. Schiermacker-Hansen (Author)

Editorial Reviews

Review

[A] unique and up-to-date source of information regarding the birds and their distribution. . . . The colour plates . . . are beautifully and accurately illustrated. This book, although primarily a field guide, is the first publication which gives a full and comprehensive description of all bird species of the Middle East. It is highly recommended for those who are interested in birds of this region or who are planning to go birdwatching here. -- Review --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

Review

There has always been a problem deciding which books to take birding in the Middle East. With the arrival of this new field guide to the region it is now possible to contemplate using only one book in the field. . . . This is an indispensable and thoroughly recommended aid for birdwatchers in the Middle East and beyond.
(Andrew Grieve Birdwatch )

[The] illustrations are all of a consistently high standard. . . . Highly recommended.
(David Tomlinson New Scientist )

Four artists have contributed and . . . the overall standard is very high. . . . Highly recommended for anyone interested in the birds of the region, and for most of the Middle East it is certainly the best available field guide.
(Andy Musgrove BTO News )

At long last, the book all travelers to the Middle East have been waiting for--an up-to-date, comprehensive and, most important of all, single volume field guide. . . . There is little doubt that this book is a real tour de force and should remain the standard work for the region for a long time to come. Strongly recommended for all visitors to the Middle East.
(Gordon Hamlett Bird Watching )

Here we have a clear, state of the art guide that has me wondering how it could be bettered. . . . The 112 coloured plates are truly a veritable delight of excellence.
(Bob Scott British Birds )

Visitors to the Near East . . . will want to own this new guide, and residents of the region should not be without it.
(Guy Kirwan Birding World )

This excellent book is a must for anyone going to this region. Beginners will find it easy to use, and . . . to learn. Advanced birdwatchers will learn something that they have not yet, and what will ultimately help with correct identification. The bottom line is: this is the best field guide published so far on birds of the Middle East.
(Zpravy Mos Wilson Bulletin )

[A] unique and up-to-date source of information regarding the birds and their distribution. . . . The colour plates . . . are beautifully and accurately illustrated. This book, although primarily a field guide, is the first publication which gives a full and comprehensive description of all bird species of the Middle East. It is highly recommended for those who are interested in birds of this region or who are planning to go birdwatching here.
(O. Bahat Ibis )

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 480 pages
• Publisher: Princeton University Press (November 1, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0691121044
• ISBN-13: 978-0691121048
• Product Dimensions: 8.4 x 5.4 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.8 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #115,357 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

20 of 20 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An Excellent Guide!, January 15, 2005

By	Laszlo Wagner (Hungary) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Amazon Verified Purchase

After an earlier edition of this guide was long out of print and increasingly hard to find and expensive even as a second hand copy, the publication of this new, paperback edition was most welcome!
I found this book just about perfect: the size and weight are still convenient for field-use, and editing is very well done, with the range maps (which only show summer/bredding ranges though) and essential status and habitat info right opposite the color plates illustrating each species, though longer, detailed information on appearence and voice are to be found separately at the back.
Most importantly, the illustrations are excellent and plentiful, usually with several pictures of each species showing various races, sexes, juveniles, summer and winter plumage, birds in flight, etc. as justified by variation.
I kind of missed (more) information on the birds' ecology, habits and taxonomy, but I guess omitting these was the price that had to be paid for a not-too-bulky field guide.
I can only wish I could have carried this book on my previous trips to the Middle East - it will certainly be with me on the next ones!

17 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Field Guide to the Birds of the Middle East, April 13, 2003

By	Andrew Dapkins (APO, AE) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This review is from: Field Guide to the Birds of the Middle East (T & AD Poyser) (Hardcover)

I would actually rate this book at a 4.99. The reason I did not give it a 5 is that the maps only show the breeding or summer range. Other than that the book is outstanding. The colors vivid and the artwork is exceptional. The plates have brief descriptions that you need in the field and in the back of the book the author goes into greater depth and gets really specific, this format is different than any other guide I have and I liked it. When and if it ever comes out in soft cover it should be the book to carry when visiting the Middle East.
Do not get caught without this field guide when traveling in this area, it is a must to have! The price is just right.

12 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars the best dictionary for birds in the middle-east, July 21, 2000

By	pini peled (Karmiel, Upper Galilee Israel) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Field Guide to the Birds of the Middle East (T & AD Poyser) (Hardcover)

this book is the best dictionary for birds watchers to watch, recognize, identify & mapping the distribution of birds in the middle east region. birds watchers can learn a lot from the discriptions, wanderful and accurate drawings, distribution maps and details supply by the authors. The variety of birds species in this book is enormous!