The Hand Guide to the Birds of New Zealand

This excellent guide contains 74 watercolour paintings that depict all 328 species, and most sub-species, of birds officially recorded in the New Zealand region (including offshore islands)and juvenile forms too. On the page opposite each colour plate is a distribution map (if the species illustrated breed in NZ) and sufficient plumage and behavioural details to help you identify the species and gender of the birds you see in the field. The paintings in this book are exactly the same in size and number as in "The Field Guide to the Birds of New Zealand", a much thicker book by the same authors/illustrator. The thicker book contains extra information on the biology and ecology of the species described - but I think the "Hand Guide" is a better choice for the field than the "Field Guide" as it is lighter and more concise (it also has a protective plastic cover). If you get the "Hand Guide to the Birds of New Zealand" and the essential "Birds of New Zealand: A Locality Guide" by Stuart Chambers ([...]), you will have all the books you need for birding in NZ. [...]

Useful Field guide with plenty of information on where to watch birds in NZ. Illustrations of the birds I know are good except the Common Mynah. Nice size for walking/touring holidays. Will rereview after visit to NZ in November.

Great book. There are excellent pictures and useful information. Information on where you are likely to find the birds...Fun to read while planning a trip.

I had no experience with ornithology or bird-watching and I wanted to learn. I bought every NZ bird book in the store. This is the one I found most usefull, with its detailed descriptions and detailed images. The binding is robust enough to survive being carried in my pack since 2002.