Book Review - Pocket Guide to Birds of Australia - Princeton University Press

 

     Modern field guides are universally of high quality, often going beyond a field guide in scope, however, and becoming hefty tomes. They are filled with information and are extremely useful, but are nevertheless heavy to tote around in the field all day. The average contemporary birder is burdened with binoculars and camera at minimum, and often a telescope, tripod, lunch, smart phone, recording device and pointer! Add a weighty field guide and a pack mule is needed!

     A pocket field guide of this type is the ideal solution. All the information needed to identify the bird is included, with fine quality illustrations and minimal text.

     The book begins with a quick guide to bird groups showing the page on which the group first appears.

     For the seasoned veteran this provides rapid access to the appropriate pages and for the novice it enhances observation skills by identifying bird families by outline. This is a key component of successful field observation and anything that aids in rapid recognition is very valuable.

     The illustrations are without exception first class and colour fidelity is outstanding.

    The text is succinct and homes in on only what is necessary to successfully identify the bird in the field. Discussions of breeding biology and other matters can be left for another time and other books.

     There is a description of habitat, location, a range map and a phonetic interpretation of voice. For some species useful comments such as, "....about the size of a lyrebird" are helpful in eliminating possible confusing species.

     The authors and illustrators have all earned their spurs in the identification and portrayal of Australian birds and their collaborative skills have resulted in a useful and visually pleasing work.

     The book is both lightweight and of a convenient size (easy to slip into a pocket). It covers more than 700 species that are resident or regular visitors to Australia, including offshore species that might be observed on a single day pelagic outing, or from the ferry between Victoria and Tasmania.

     I wish that I had had this guide when I last visited Australia. My luggage would have been a little lighter, but the tools I needed for successful birding would not have been sacrificed one iota.

     I expect this book will be a great success.

Pocket Guide to Birds of Australia - Princeton University Press

Jeff Davies, Peter Menkhorst, Danny Rogers, Rohan Clarke, Peter Marsack, Kim Franklin

Softcover - US$27.95 - ISBN - 9780691245492

256 pages - 4.75 x 7.75 inches (11.875 x 19.375 cm)

240 colour plates - 700 maps

Publication Date: 07 February, 2023