Bird book recommendations

[andy brown]

Hi, looking to purchase a book on birds of the uk and maybe europe, can anyone please recommend any as a reference book for identification

Cheers

Andy

[RaptorLover]

Hi Andy, we meaning my wife and I recently purchased the RSPB Pocket Birds of Britain and Europe fully revised edition by Jonathan Elphick and John Woodward and find it a first class handy size book to carry in a pocket when out and about Birding or walks and you should have no trouble finding one local to yourself. Hope this helps.

[Jonners]

Hi Andy. I've recently-ish bought the Collins Bird Guide and found it a very good book. It covers GB and Europe, so very useful when holidaying in Europe. Not too expensive and not a bulky book either.

[big bill]

Hello Andy the books that I use are Complete British Birds Paul Sterry by Collins and RSPB Birds of Britain Rob Hume .I find the Collins books very good for most things and like mentioned above again not to expensive

[thebeard]

agreed, the sterry book is brilliant in my opinion, great photos of lots of different plumages, males/females, etc, and good information too.

[bob.phillips]

Not sure if you want a field guide for carrying around with you or 'something to leave at home'. I have recently bought BIRD by Peter Hayman and Rob Hume, which covers both Britain and the rest of Europe. It's a fantastic book, but definitely not for carrying around in the field ( or anywhere else for that matter).

Regards,

Bob P.

[aeshna5]

Originally Posted by Jonners

Hi Andy. I've recently-ish bought the Collins Bird Guide and found it a very good book. It covers GB and Europe, so very useful when holidaying in Europe. Not too expensive and not a bulky book either.

I think most birders would recommend this as the most informative field guide to Europe + Middle East . A new edition should be due soon, so I would hang on for this as it'll have the latest updates- particularly useful for the gulls as wellas other recent splits.

[ANNO]

Originally Posted by aeshna5

I think most birders would recommend this as the most informative field guide to Europe + Middle East . A new edition should be due soon, so I would hang on for this as it'll have the latest updates- particularly useful for the gulls as wellas other recent splits.

I would agree on this point - it is the best after 30 years birding using various guides,it is the most comprehensive.

I also love Lars Johnssons 'Birds of Europe' although some people can't get on with the illustrations, more 'in the field' sketches using jizz.

(although I must admit his Hawfinches look like the Kray twins to me!!)

[Seren Arian]

I would definitely recommend the Collins Bird Guide. It is a fantastic book for using in the field, I have the paperback version for outdoor use. The Hardback version is good for keeping in the house as a reference book. I have been using mine for just over 5 years now and although I have many other Bird Guides this is my favourite. Great descriptions of differences in ages, sex and seasonal plumages. Also superb drawings.

Another of my favourites is the RSPB Handbook of British Birds this has some excellent drawings and very useful information on breeding and other data.

[Hobjob]

Originally Posted by aeshna5

I think most birders would recommend this as the most informative field guide to Europe + Middle East . A new edition should be due soon, so I would hang on for this as it'll have the latest updates- particularly useful for the gulls as wellas other recent splits.

Its due in January and I have one on pre-order from a well known internet bookshop