Ornithology, Birdwatching 

Birds of Europe is an extraordinary new field guide to the diverse bird life found throughout Europe. Ranging from the Urals to the Atlantic and from Scandinavia to the Middle East, the guide covers the 722 bird species found in the region as well as 23 introduced species or variants and 103 very rare visitors. The text by Lars Svensson and Peter J. Grant provides all of the information needed to identify any species in Europe at any time of year, covering identification, voice, habitat, range, and size. In addition, the authors provide an introduction to each group of birds that addresses the major problems involved in identifying or observing the group: how to separate birds of prey in flight, how to organize a sea watching trip, which duck hybrids can be confused with which main species. In over 3,500 illustrations, Killian Mullarney and Dan Zetterström depict every species as well as all major plumage variations. The artists also introduce several design innovations. They illustrate typical habitats and characteristic behavior, including birds in flight, feeding, hunting, and perching; they add pointers and captions to the plates to show key field marks; and they arrange birds for easy comparison of confusing plumages. Distribution maps give up-to-date breeding, wintering, and migration ranges for every species. The combination of definitive text, superb illustrations, and innovative design, all in a single, portable volume, makes this book the ultimate field guide to the birds of Europe. On the bookshelf or in the coat pocket, it will become an essential companion for every birder, ornithologist, and traveler to Europe. - from Amzon