Friday, August 23, 2024

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


 

David M. Gascoigne,
David M. Gascoigne,

I'm a life long birder. My interests are birds, nature, reading, books, outdoors, travel, food and wine.

27 comments:

  1. Thank you for this review. I suspect it is a book I would happily pore over despite the likelihood of my going to South Africa being small.

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  2. There used to be a livestream from a garden in Pretoria that broadcast on YouTube 24 hrs a day The birds were astonishingly beautiful and interesting. I'm sure this book would reveal even more treasures.

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    1. Way back in 2008 I spent almost a month in South Africa and explored many different regions of the country. The birds are fabulous!

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  3. Great review! I would love to see the birds in South Africa. Take care, have a great weekend.

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  4. That's a great header, David. And thank you once again for the wonderful review!

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  5. ...the cover should help sell the book.

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  6. Very nice header photo there taken the other day on your outing.
    The book looks good and nicely illustrated.

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  7. The new header is so pretty, David. I like the colors. There are beautiful illustrations in the book. The cover shows a lovely flower that grows in South Africa. It's called Protea. They are sold as cut flowers here.
    Hugs and kisses, Marit

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    1. I have had the great pleasure, Marit, of seeing Protea in the Fynbos region of South Africa, a magical place if ever I saw one. Hugs and kisses - David

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  8. I really need every book you review. This time the spoon bill won the lottery. I love bird books which show plumage patterns and silhouettes, which is often how you see birds against the sky.

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  9. Great one for any birder for sure!

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  10. the cover is beautiful, and I can see how this would be a must for people who visit Africa to see birds, and especially since it covers different regions..

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  11. The book sounds like a winner, great review! The new header is absolutely beautiful.

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  12. It looks like a good book. I doubt I'll ever visit South Africa though, the heat for one thing would get to me! I really cannot take the heat at all. You are right about the population growning over there and we can only hope that the birds and another creatures will be protected.

    Did you change your blog banner? It is that picture from the other day, your last post. It looks so good :-D

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    1. We didn’t experience oppressive heat at all in South Africa, Ananka. I did change my header and it is a picture from my last post. You are observant!

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  13. Oh, I do love that American Goldfinch picture! Goldfinches have always been a favorite winter visitor here, although last winter I didn't see a single one in my yard. I blame the warming climate that convinced the birds they didn't need to fly so far south.

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  14. I doubt if I'll ever see these birds first hand, but the book looks extremely helpful. Thanks for sharing. Have a grand weekend, David.

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  15. En una buena biblioteca, debe de haber libros referentes a esto.
    Feliz fin de semana. Un abrazo.

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  16. The new header is beautiful, David.
    Good review and the drawings in the book are really beautiful.
    I wish you a good weekend.
    Greetings Irma

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  17. Great review! Looks like this field guide is very well put together and very useful.
    Breathtaking header!

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  18. Great book and review! BTW, I love your header photo! Pretty Goldfinch!
    Thank you for linking up and sharing your post. Take care, have a great weekend. PS, thank you for leaving me a comment.

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  19. That's a great new header David. Perfect. And have you ever been to South Africa? It sounds like a great place to visit.2 of my cousins were born there, and I wonder if they'll ever go back because they haven't visited as of yet. Enjoy your weekend.

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    1. I spent almost a month in South Africa in 2008. Highly recommended!

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  20. Este seria un precioso libro para mí. Besos.

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  21. Hi David - having lived there ... yes the birds are quite extraordinary and many of my friends were 'birders' once out in the bush ... we all had a Roberts that was the definitive bird book for SA ... not very pretty, but full of information. Obviously lots of pockets guides and at the Parks there'd be 'pages' letting us know what to expect. Really useful in the Okavango ... cheers Hilary

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