Collins Bird Guide

The ultimate guide to birds: every species and every plumage you will see, with detailed text on identification, habitat and voice. A must for every birdwatcher.

Collins have been the leading publishers of bird field guides for over 40 years. The publication of Roger Tory Peterson's guide in the 1950s, and the guide illustrated by Hermann Heinzel in the 1970s, were landmarks in field guide publishing. Collins New Bird Guide represents yet another landmark for Collins. Written by Lars Svensson, illustrated by Killian Mullarney and Dan Zetterstroem, and translated by David Christie, this is the strongest team ever to produce a field guide.

Collins New Bird Guide provides all the information needed to identify any species at any time of the year, with detailed text on 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, portable volume, makes this book the ultimate field guide. It will become essential on every bookshelf and birdwatching trip.