Bird - The Definitive Visual Guide

Bird – The Definitive Visual Guide
- DK Publishing in conjunction with Audubon and Birdlife International
- ISBN 978-0-7566-3153-6
- Hardcover (12”x10.5”x1.25”; 4.2 lbs)
- $50.00 USA $60.00 Canada

I received a copy of the book this past Friday evening and simply could not put it down until the last page was flipped 3 hours later. For anyone looking for a wealth of information and a collection of superb images that celebrates the stunning beauty and diversity that are birds, look no further. “Bird” delivers!
This book is divided into three chapters: Introduction, Habitat and Species. The Introduction covers physiology and behavior, magnificently described, using an array of descriptive drawings and photographs. Habitat describes the diverse biogeographical environs where birds exist, adapt and flourish. The Species chapter offers a detailed description of some of the 1200 World bird species. Included with these descriptions are range maps, size data, migration routes and habitat preferences. Where relevant a species may be given Red List status as judged by the International Union of the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) due to its precarious position of being threatened, endangered or near extinction.

Make no mistake. This book is not intended to be a field guide; it is an encyclopedia. What sets it apart from other bird encyclopedias is arguably some of the best bird photography ever assembled under one cover. The authors claim to have produced “the definitive visual guide”, and after seeing the book I have a difficult time generating an argument against their claim. Most all of the images are breathtakingly beautiful!
The first 100 pages are dedicated to Chapters 1 & 2: Introduction and Habitat. The remaining 385 pages cover the 29 Orders and 204 Families that describe the 9721 known Species of birds. Even at 485 pages a book this size cannot possibly attempt to cover every species of bird, and doesn’t try. It can only give a flavor for the types of birds that can be found in a particular Family. Most of the bird species presented in this book are commonly known on a world-wide basis, but also represent some of the most beautiful birds we could hope to see in a lifetime. Some may be disappointed that their favorite bird species did not receive mention, but I found it difficult to criticize those species that were.

Non-passerines are covered first, followed by passerines. What I liked about the layout for each Family covered was a table listing the Order, Family and # species listed. I found myself disappointed that New World Warblers and Sparrows weren’t better represented, but who cares what “I” want… I did have to wonder, however, why some species were listed without accompanying photographs.
Scattered throughout the book were also Great Sites – locations that are considered important habitat for a particular Family of birds. Again, some may question the inclusion of those locations, and why other Great Sites weren’t mentioned, but again, not everyone can be satisfied. Just chalk it up to author-preference.
Finally, an audio CD is included with the book containing 60 recordings of birds from different regions of the world. These recordings are provided courtesy of the Macaulay Library at the Cornell Lab of Ornithology. iPod users may have to type the species names manually into iTunes since the Tracks are un-labeled. This is not necessarily a bad thing since typing the species names enforces the learning process. Just don't do it while iTunes is importing the Tracks - the names won't copy into your Playlists.
Enjoy the book for what it is: an outstanding collection of stunning images that remind us why we get up early and/or brave nature’s worst in order to experience perhaps just a few moments’ glimpse of a feathered jewel. Included with these images is enough information to make the book an enjoyable read without being too technical. Holidays are soon upon us, and noone will be disappointed to receive one of these “Definitive Guides”.
Thank you Carroll Beauvais for the opportunity to enjoy Bird-The Definitive Visual Guide. Receiving the book made up for a weekend of crappy birding (if that's even possible…):) Do I have to return it???