Re: Collins Bird Guide 11.pdf
Dortha Chuang
Many vagrants have been recorded again and again, giving them the right to sneak into the main plates and to get a full coverage. I am beginning to think that it may be time to consider two guides, an eastern and western edition (okay, partially overlapping in Central Europe?), with a new font choice, fewer birds per book and larger maps? Another development could be a compact edition, like that new guide for Australia?
Almost every European birder has at least one copy of The Collins Bird Guide (I had 4, but passed the #1 to a budding birder). With #1, you just needed to level up to #2, but with #2, do you need to level up again?
The Collins Bird Guide is most certainly one of the very best field guides anywhere in the world and gets my highest recommendation. Yet, in this case, it may be less of a need to upgrade, as much of a wish to get that bright and vibrant new edition. And it being a rather moderate 30 Pounds sterling question, after the hardcover for my bookshelf, I will certainly get a softcover for my car.
The Collins Bird Guide #3 is currently available only as a hardbound from Collins, but they will be publishing the softcover version in May 2023. Princeton University Press will be co-publishing the title this summer.
Collins Bird Guide
By Lars Svensson, Killian Mullarney, Dan Zetterstrm
3rd edition published in December 2022
478 pages, 4000+ colour illustrations, 700 colour distribution maps
ISBN: 9780008547455
ISBN 10: 0008547459
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.
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