Book Review - Birds of Greater Southern Africa - Princeton Field Guides

     An important part of the library of any naturalist is a series of field guides, essential tools for a complete understanding of different taxa, so the publication of a new field guide is always a cause for great celebration. A new book covering the charismatic avifauna of Southern Africa is especially enchanting, and I looked forward to it with great anticipation. The book now in my hand affirms that my expectations were entirely reasonable, the pleasure of anticipation being exceeded only by actuality.

     Modern field guides are almost without exception of outstanding quality and this guide does not buck the trend. It is well laid out, filled with information, and is authored by people with a long and distinguished association with the birds of the region. It is especially appealing that it covers Greater Southern Africa, encompassing the countries housing exceptional avian richness in the region. Many visiting birders cover two or three countries in one trip to this part of Africa, and it is very useful to have a single guide covering all the birds found there.

     The illustrations are extremely well done and accomplish what a good field guide is intended to do - it enables one to identify the bird. The well-established, almost universal format is followed with a range map and description on the left and the corresponding pictures on the right. 

     In the introductory section, a brief description is included of the different habitats where one is likely to encounter given species, and this terminology is linked back in the species accounts. For example, for Cape Sugarbird, it is stated ...."in patches of flowering Proteacae on montane escarpments, moving when these whither (sic)....."

   

     A depiction of bird topography is a standard component of every field guide, but even this familiar aspect is enhanced by using different families of birds to illustrate feather tracts and anatomical characters.

     Appendix 4 is very useful. It contains a map of each country encompassed by this guide, with the location of important bird areas clearly marked. Just studying these maps ahead of a trip will fuel enthusiasm.

     The human population of Africa is increasing at a frightening exponential rate and it can only be hoped that land will be set aside so that there is still habitat for Southern Africa's scintillating birds, including many species endemic to the region. You can do no better than to take this field guide to identify and appreciate them. 

     

    It will serve you very well.

Birds of Greater Southern Africa - Princeton Field Guides

Keith Barnes, John Fanshawe, and Terry Stevenson

Paperback - US$45.00 - ISBN: 978069123267

640 pages - 5.5 x 8.5 inches (13.75 x 21.25 cm)

3,000 + colour illustrations

Publication date: 06 August, 2024