Raptors of the World

This book is the ultimate book on all birds of prey. There is no other book that can eclipse the effort the two authors put into this book. The Helm field guide series( which this book belongs) is the most through study of any bird gruop. This book has exhausting information from description, feeding habits, to population and movements(migration habits). This book might be exspensive, but it is worth every penny. Raptors are among the most challenging bird groups to study, and this book is need to indentify them accurately. Also, if you like studying Gulls, the book "Gulls of North America, Europe, Asia" is another good book to buy. It's said that gulls are the most challenging bird groups to identify. Buy this book with this one, and you will have a less of a hard time indentifying this two of the most difficult bird groups.

I have about 1000 books on Birds and Natural History and recently added this gem to my collection.Trying to write a review on this volume is akin to trying to do one on the Bible.One could easily write 25 pages and the surface wouldn't even be scratched. First of all, this is not the type of book one buys for a Field Guide.It covers all the 313 species of raptors scattered all over the world.That's why you'll see reviews from different countries because it is as useful to someone living in Australia as to someone in Iceland.Obviously ,it wouldn't be carried around in the field for the purpose of identifying a raptor soaring overhead.It is really an Encyclopedia for the world's raptors.When looked at that way, it is a superb book.In one book, you can look up any raptor and see excellent illustrations,descriptions,distribution,behaviour,etc.,plus a myriad of references if you want more information.With nearly 1000 pages,one might ask "What more is there to write?"Well,lots ,this book averages out to about 3 pages for each bird.Heck,for some of these birds it woud be easy to find a shelf full of books. Living here in Toronto,over the past 18 years I have seen 22 of these species locally, and several of them only once or twice.Those being,Black Vulture,Swallow-tailed Kite,Mississippi Kite,Swainson's Hawk,Ferruginious Hawk and Prairie Falcon.On top of that,8 more elsewhere in North America.That leaves only Hook-billed Kite,that I have much hope for seeing in North America,and at that my hopes are very slim.Then again,who knows,maybe the Red -footed Falcon that showed up in the Eastern US might appear again. However,all these other birds exist and even if I can't travel the world to see them ,it is still nice to have a book to read up on any one of them when one appears in a novel or other literature. The Golden Eagle on the cover is an excellent choice for us here,as it is the favorite raptor seen regularly at our watches in southern Ontario.To top it off ,on the back cover there is an illustration showing what one can see at a Hawk Watch.It was on April 15,1994 that I saw an, extremely rare for here, Swallow-tailed Kite soar past in a kettle like this.Of course they are much more common in Florida where we were entertained by several last April. Well,that's my review;Ilove this book and would highly recommend it for anyone who is "into" Birding.It would be an excellent special gift to buy for any friend who is a Birder for a birthday,Xmas,or any occasion,you can't go wrong. As to the reviewer who lamented that owls were not included;the terms, Birds of Prey,Raptors,Hawks,Predators,etc., do get used loosely;particularly by non-experts.I once heard Roger Tory Peterson reply to the question,"What makes an excellent Birder?"He replied,"A good Birder is someone who likes birds.An excllent Birder is someone who likes birds a whole lot." It was he who did so much to make Birding popular and easy for so many people ,"novices" to "experts". If you

One of the best and authorative book ever since publish on the Raptors of the world. Covering 313 species of the raptors across the world. It has vast bibilography and information on each species like habitat, ecology, behaviour etc. The book contains a wealth of detailed information on identification and distribution, with a full description of each species, including reference to all recognized races.Habitat and range for all species, together with information on movements and breeding behavior, are also covered. The depictions differentiate adults, immatures, and most of the distinctive races.The detailed and accurate text and spectacular color illustrations will make this book indispensable to all ornithologists and birders. This will be, undoubtedly, the standard work on thrushes for many years to come. * Comprehensive identification guide to all 313 species of raptors throughout the world * Detailed text covering identification, description, geographical variation, voice, status and distribution, movements, habitat, behavior, and measurements * Each of the 313 species is described thoroughly and accurately, and every plumage and variation is shown in more than two thousand color illustrations plus hundreds of black-and-white drawings. Both large-scale and small-scale range maps show in detail where each species has been found. ONE OF THE MUST HAVE EDITION FOR SERIOUS BIRDERS ACROSS THE WORLD FOR SUCH A DIFFICULT GROUP OF BIRDS.

Definitely the standard work about raptors. First class information -all entries are based upon the most recent serious investigations, and by that I mean published in respected journals- There are more bibliography pages than index pages (and for such a comprehensive encyclopedic work that is something). Latest figures regarding geographic distribution and very accurate population assessments. Very good illustrations (some a little small though, but well accomplished overall). Definitely a must have for birders and nature lovers.

This fantastic book covers all the raptors of the world. The book is extraordinary good in the descriptions of the birds of prey, and the plates are fantastic. The book includes illustrations of adults, juvenile, male and female birds, and all the illustrations are great.Furthermore there is introdoctionary chapters on identification of raptors, on their migration, breeding patterns etc.It's great finally to have a single book covering all the raptors of the world, especially when the book is as great as this one. Everybody who have an interest in raptors simply needs to own it.The only problem as far as I can see is, that it's impossible to take the book with you into the field, so I guess you still need your normal fieldguide.