Promotional Information

Following on from its hugely successful launch in 1999, Collins Bird Guide -- the ultimate reference book for bird enthusiasts -- now enters its second edition. With expanded text and additional colour illustrations, the second edition of the hugely successful Collins Bird Guide is a must for every birdwatcher. The book provides all the information needed to identify any species at any time of the year, covering size, habitat, range, identification and voice. Accompanying every species entry is a distribution map and illustrations showing the species in all the major plumages (male, female, immature, in flight, at rest, feeding: whatever is important). In addition, each group of birds includes an introduction which covers the major problems involved in identifying or observing them: how to organise a sea watching trip, how to separate birds of prey in flight, which duck hybrids can be confused with which main species. These and many other common birdwatching questions are answered. The combination of definitive text, up-to-date distribution maps and superb illustrations, all in a single volume, makes this book the ultimate field guide, essential on every bookshelf and birdwatching trip. / Over 100,000 copies sold to date / Provides all the information needed to identify any species at any time of the year / Includes over 3,500 original paintings by the world's leading bird artists / Detailed text covers size, habitat, range, identification and voice / Up-to-date distribution maps give information on breeding, wintering and migration / Fully integrated -- all the information for each species appears on the same page

About the Author

Lars Svensson is Europe's leading field ornithologist. Killian Mullarney is one of the world's finest bird illustrators. Winner of numerous awards, this is the first guide that he has illustrated. Dan Zetterstrom is widely acclaimed for his bird illustrations.

Reviews

/ 'The richest, most comprehensive of the current guides.' The Times / 'This book will surely become our standard guide for many years to come.' BBC Wildlife / '!buy this book, read it in the bath, keep it in the car boot and use it.' Bird Watching / 'One of the most talked about and fervently anticipated bird books of the past decade has finally arrived ! The wait has been worth it.' Birding World / '! this book is a must for every birdwatcher.' Country Life / 'If you want to have only one guide to British and European birds, this is the one to get.' British Wildlife / 'As essential as binoculars for those who take birdwatching seriously' New Scientist / '!go on, buy it and enjoy it -- it really is a very good book!' RSPB Birds magazine