The Handbook of Bird Identification for Europe and the Western Palearctic (Helm Identification Guides)

Identification guide covering all the bird species to have occurred in the European region. The species are covered by family, with each family introduction followed by the relevant colour plates and species accounts and for 625 species there are detailed colour maps within the text. Cover......Page 1 Contents......Page 6 Acknowledgements......Page 9 Introduction......Page 10 Divers (or Loons): GAVIIDAE......Page 34 Grebes: PODICIPEDIDAE......Page 37 Albatrosses: DIOMEDEIDAE......Page 41 Petrels & Shearwaters: PROCELLARIIDAE......Page 43 Storm-petrels: HYDROBATIDAE......Page 73 Gannets & Boobies: SULIDAE......Page 77 Cormorants: PHALACROCORACIDAE......Page 80 Darters: ANHINGIDAE......Page 83 Pelicans: PELECANIDAE......Page 84 Frigatebirds: FREGATIDAE......Page 86 Herons & Egrets: ARDEIDAE......Page 87 Storks: CICONIIDAE......Page 110 Ibises & Spoonbills: THRESKIORNITHIDAE......Page 112 Flamingos: PHOENICOPTERIDAE......Page 114 Wildfowl (or Waterfowl): ANATIDAE......Page 115 Hawks & Eagles: ACCIPITRIDAE......Page 181 Falcons: FALCONIDAE......Page 206 Grouse: TETRAONIDAE......Page 254 Pheasants & Partridges: PHASIANIDAE......Page 257 Buttonquails: TURNICIDAE......Page 266 Rails: RALLIDAE......Page 267 Cranes: GRUIDAE......Page 274 Bustards: OTIDIDAE......Page 276 Oystercatchers: HAEMATOPODIDAE......Page 296 Stilts & Avocets: RECURVIROSTRIDAE......Page 297 Thick-knees: BURHINIDAE......Page 299 Coursers & Pratincoles: GLAREOLIDAE......Page 300 Plovers: CHARADRIIDAE......Page 303 Sandpipers: SCOLOPACIDAE......Page 314 Skuas: STERCORARIIDAE......Page 389 Gulls: LARIDAE......Page 394 Terns: STERNIDAE......Page 450 Skimmers: RYNCHOPIDAE......Page 464 Auks (or Alcids): ALCIDAE......Page 465 Sandgrouse: PTEROCLIDIDAE......Page 470 Pigeons & Doves: COLUMBIDAE......Page 473 Parrots: PSITTACIDAE......Page 480 Cuckoos: CUCULIDAE......Page 481 Owls: TYTONIDAE & STRIGIDAE......Page 485 Nightjars: CAPRIMULGIDAE......Page 516 Swifts: APODIDAE......Page 520 Kingfishers: ALCEDINIDAE......Page 525 Bee-eaters: MEROPIDAE......Page 527 Rollers: CORACIIDAE......Page 528 Hoopoes: UPUPIDAE......Page 530 Woodpeckers: PICIDAE......Page 531 Tyrant Flycatchers: TYRANNIDAE......Page 538 Larks: ALAUDIDAE......Page 540 Swallows & Martins: HIRUNDINIDAE......Page 569 Pipits & Wagtails: MOTACILLIDAE......Page 575 Bulbuls: PYCNONOTIDAE......Page 591 Waxwings & Hypocolius: BOMBYCILLIDAE......Page 592 Wrens: TROGLODYTIDAE......Page 594 Mockingbirds & Thrashers: MIMIDAE......Page 595 Accentors: PRUNELLIDAE......Page 596 Thrushes & Chats: TURDIDAE......Page 599 Warblers: SYLVIIDAE......Page 647 Flycatchers: MUSCICAPIDAE......Page 705 Babblers: TIMALIIDAE......Page 709 Long-tailed Tits: AEGITHALIDAE......Page 711 Tits: PARIDAE......Page 712 Nuthatches: SITTIDAE......Page 716 Treecreepers: CERTHIIDAE......Page 720 Penduline Tits: REMIZIDAE......Page 722 Sunbirds: NECTARINIIDAE......Page 723 Shrikes: LANIIDAE......Page 725 Crows: CORVIDAE......Page 745 Starlings: STURNIDAE......Page 753 Sparrows: PASSERIDAE......Page 757 Weavers: PLOCEIDAE......Page 763 Waxbills: ESTRILDIDAE......Page 764 Vireos: VIREONIDAE......Page 766 Finches: FRINGILLIDAE......Page 768 American Wood-warblers: PARULIDAE......Page 810 Tanagers: THRAUPIDAE......Page 819 Buntings: EMBERIZIDAE......Page 820 American Orioles & Blackbirds: ICTERIDAE......Page 841 Appendix......Page 846 Further Reading......Page 852 C......Page 855 F......Page 856 J......Page 857 O......Page 858 R......Page 859 S......Page 860 W......Page 861 Y......Page 863 Index of Scientific Names......Page 864 An identification guide covering all the bird species to have occurred in the European region.Birding is one of the most popular activities and pastimes in Europe and so it follows that it is essential to be able to identify the birds on view, be it in the back garden or for making more serious in-depth studies. This book aims to bring together as much information as possible in one volume, using extremely detailed, up-to-date guides and identification of every species known to have occurred in Europe and the West Palearctic, that is, the whole of Europe, North Africa as far south as the Central Sahara, the Middle East to the border of Iran, the Azores, Madeira, Canary Islands, the islands off Mauritania and the Cape Verde islands, as defined by Cramp and Simons 1977. They have certainly been successful in doing so and have produced a wonderfully comprehensive guide covering nearly 900 species, showing a wide range of differing plumages. The colour plates are exquisite and have been painted by some of Europe's leading bird artists. The text is clear and can be followed by beginners but finer points of identification are included for the benefit of more serious bird watchers.Particularly helpful is the cross-referencing of the text and colour plates. There are more than 600 colour maps to identify where the birds are to be found, which are simple and easy to use with excellent descriptions of status and habitat. Birding Is One Of The Most Popular Activities And Pastimes In Europe And So It Follows That It Is Essential To Be Able To Identify The Birds On View, Be It In The Back Garden Or For Making More Serious In-depth Studies. This Book Aims To Bring Together As Much Information As Possible In One Volume, Using Extremely Detailed, Up-to-date Guides And Identification Of Every Species Known To Have Occurred In Europe And The West Palearctic, That Is, The Whole Of Europe, North Africa As Far South As The Central Sahara, The Middle East To The Border Of Iran, The Azores, Madeira, Canary Islands, The Islands Off Mauritania And The Cape Verde Islands, As Defined By Cramp And Simons 1977. They Have Certainly Been Successful In Doing So And Have Produced A Wonderfully Comprehensive Guide Covering Nearly 900 Species, Showing A Wide Range Of Differing Plumages. The Colour Plates Are Exquisite And Have Been Painted By Some Of Europe's Leading Bird Artists. The Text Is Clear And Can Be Followed By Beginners But Finer Points Of Identification Are Included For The Benefit Of More Serious Bird Watchers. Particularly Helpful Is The Cross-referencing Of The Text And Colour Plates. There Are More Than 600 Colour Maps To Identify Where The Birds Are To Be Found, Which Are Simple And Easy To Use With Excellent Descriptions Of Status And Habitat. Annotation Identification guide covering all the bird species to have occurred inthe European region. The species are covered by family, with eachfamily introduction followed by the relevant colour plates and speciesaccounts and for 625 species there are detailed colour maps within thetext