A compact, lightweight and informative guide to 310 of the most common birds found in the UK. RSPB Pocket Guide to British Birds is a compact, lightweight and informative field guide, featuring 310 bird species regularly seen in the UK. Species are illustrated in all distinct plumage forms likely to be observed in the wild by renowned bird artist Stephen Message, and a detailed distribution map for the British Isles is also provided. Concise text covers appearance, behaviour and voice - focusing on key identification points - and also outlines where you will find the species, describes its seasonal movements and includes the latest UK population data. Finally, confusion species are cross-referenced, with their most important and easily noted differences from the subject species described. A comprehensive introduction provides a guide on how and where to find birds, and how to make the most useful and rewarding observations for newcomers to birdwatching. Uniquely, this guide also provides images and descriptions for not only a selection of rarer visitors, but also for a range of domestic species and certain commonly observed aberrant forms of more familiar birds, all of which are omitted from most field guides but can cause great confusion for beginners when encountered in the wild. Read more

Everything you need to transform your garden into a haven for birds.Packed full of expert birding advice and practical ideas, this compact, easy-to-use bird-watching book will help you create an environment that will invite a rich diversity of birdlife to your garden.It's time to get out into your garden and get bird spotting with this indispensable field guide. Here's what you'll discover: - Profiles of 40 of the most common British garden birds - In-situ photography shows birds as you will see them in your garden or local park, for more accurate identification- Explains the benefits of different bird foods, and gives practical advice on types of feeders and how to site them- Each season is outlined with the major bird activities and feeding requirements- Produced in association with the RSPB's Big Garden BirdwatchBirdwatching can be done in the comfort of your own garden thanks to this revised and updated bird guide. It contains expert advice on how to provide water, food, and nesting sites to create a bird-friendly environment. It also reveals essential tips on observing birds, including the basic equipment needed.Find profiles of 40 of the most common British garden birds, each illustrated with in-situ photography, you'll be identifying all kinds of bird species in no time. Practical projects include making and siting a nest box, and how to design a bird-friendly garden, including choosing plants to attract particular species. With information about seasonal changes in bird behaviour and a helpful size-comparison gallery for the species profiled in the book Look out for more RSPB books from DK. Discover the simplest, clearest guide to identifying common European birds ever in RSPB Birds of Britain and Europe or learn how to easily spot the difference between similar birds in RSPB What's the Bird? Read more

This easy-to-use RSPB pocket companion to European and British birds is the ideal field guide for novice birdwatchers and experienced birders alike.From frequently seen garden birds to some of the more elusive birds of prey, discover over 300 species of bird found in the UK and Europe with RSPB Pocket Birds of Britain and Europe. Learn all about birds from their calls and feeding behaviour, nesting habits and habitats, and differences in plumage. Crystal clear photographs bring the birds on the page to life, and notes on distinguishing features will help you identify different species of bird wherever you spot them. Maps show where and when you're likely to see each species, further aiding identification. This edition also includes a web link, where you can hear common bird songs and calls to make identification even easier. This handy book is perfectly portable, making RSPB Pocket Birds of Britain and Europe the perfect companion for taking out in the field. Read more

Spot the difference! If you are not sure how to tell the difference between a swift or a swallow or shelduck from a shoveler, this bird guide is for you.Designed for beginners and more experienced birdwatchers alike, your DK bird book includes over 150 European birds and their distinguishing features. Authenticated by the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB), the facts and illustrations included in this fascinating book will help you easily tell the difference between similar birds.Inside, you will find:- Similar and commonly confused birds, shown side by side for quick comparison and identification- A habitat-by-habitat approach that ensures you will quickly find the bird you are looking for- A compact and portable format for ease of use anywhere- Habitat overviews that show you where to look for and find particular birds within their natural environment- An at-a-glance bird-finder section that shows thumbnails of birds, grouped by colour, for instant identification- A fully illustrated introduction that explains the basics of birdwatching - where and what to look for- Concise, clear, and informative text, written by Rob Hume, a leading ornithological expert and writerSet off on an exciting nature adventure. Spot birds of all kinds in your garden or in the wild. The bird species included in this RSPB pocket guide are grouped according to habitat and appearance, with each image highlighted with their key characteristics, showing you exactly how to tell each bird apart! What's that Bird? includes an introductory section that highlights key features of birds such as size, shape, colour, pattern, flight, sound, season, and behaviour. From woodlands and forests, fresh water and coast, to the open country, author and leading ornithological expert Rob Hume, takes you on an exploration of birds around Britain and Europe. The pages of the photographic field guide are filled with high-quality photographs, detailed descriptions and comparisons, and an at-a-glance bird-finder so you will go from novice bird watcher to expert in no time.Look out for more RSPB books from DK. Discover the simplest, clearest guide to identifying common European birds ever in RSPB Birds of Britain and Europe or get out into your garden and get bird spotting with the RSPB Pocket Garden Birdwatch. Read more

The ultimate reference book for bird enthusiasts – now in its third edition.With expanded text and additional colour illustrations, the third edition of the hugely successful Collins Bird Guide is a must for every birdwatcher.The new edition has an extra 32 pages allowing several groups more space and completely or partly new plates with more detailed text: grouse, loons, several groups of raptors, terns, owls, swifts, woodpeckers, swallows, redstarts and some other relatives to the flycatchers (formerlyoften called ‘small thrushes’), tits and a few finches and buntings are some of these. More than 50 plates are either new or have been repainted, completely or partly. Apart from this, a few new vignettes have been added. The section with vagrants has been expanded to accommodate more images and longer texts for several species. The entire text and all maps have of course also been revised.The book provides all the information needed to identify any species at any time of the year, covering size, habitat, range, identification and voice. Accompanying every species entry is a distribution map and illustrations showing the species in all the major plumages (male, female, immature, in flight, at rest, feeding: whatever is important).In addition, each group of birds includes an introduction which covers the major problems involved in identifying or observing them: how to organise a sea watching trip, how to separate birds of prey in flight, which duck hybrids can be confused with which main species. These and many other common birdwatching questions are answered.The combination of definitive text, up-to-date distribution maps and superb illustrations, all in a single volume, makes this book the ultimate field guide, essential on every bookshelf and birdwatching trip. Read more

Put your birdwatching expertise to the test and learn more about the birds in your garden with this new puzzle book from the RSPB!Do you know what the smallest bird in your garden is? And whose birdsong sounds like 'tea-cher, tea-cher, tea-cher'? Or what a gathering of nesting birds is called?Packed with questions, word games and bamboozling brainteasers, this fun-filled quiz book from the RSPB will test your knowledge and reveal incredible new facts about your garden visitors. Covering a variety of topics, from the garden environment, to nesting, biology and migration, and including a colour section to test identification, this book celebrates all the beautiful birds we can see from the comfort of our doorstep. Suitable for all levels, from the casual garden bird-spotter to the more serious birder, this book will make the perfect gift for anyone interested in British birds, and put them on the path to becoming an ornithological expert.*A Goldcrest, a Great Tit and a colony! Read more

The bestselling RSPB Handbook of British Birds is the most comprehensive reference for birdwatchers of all levels of interest and experience. Now in its fifth edition, it remains the most accessible field guide to more than 300 bird species likely to be encountered in Britain and Ireland.Alongside artworks depicting all common plumages, the detailed text describes each bird's behaviour, habitat, voice, breeding biology, longevity and seasonal movements, as well as other useful information. The guide also includes UK population trends and up-to-date distribution maps.Completely revised and updated, this fifth edition also features new artwork and comparison spreads, additional rarities and the most recent taxonomic order, as well as each species' conservation status, a summary of the threats UK species are currently facing and details of what conservationists are doing to help.A new lay-flat binding has also been used, creating easier access to the species accounts at home or in the field. Read more

AVAILABLE NOW -THE RSPB GARDEN BIRDWATCHER'S PUZZLE BOOKA jam-packed puzzle and trivia book about the birds in Britain, in collaboration with the RSPB.Can you tell your rook from your crow? Do you know the collective noun for a group of goldfinches? Or where a willow warbler goes when it migrates?A must-buy for any bird enthusiast or bird-watching novice, this puzzle book is filled with questions, word games and brainteasers that will test your ornithological knowledge and reveal a treasure trove of incredible facts about our feathered friends - covering topics such as garden birds, coastal and country birds, behaviour, biology, culture, rare birds and bird migration.Featuring over 150 puzzles, from quiz questions to illustrations of birds to test your identification knowledge, wordsearches and crosswords, as well as maps to explore flight patterns, the RSPB Great British Birdwatcher's Puzzle Book will put your friends and family through their paces, and on the path to becoming an ornithological expert. Read more

The story of an incredible friendship between one man and a wild robin, and a beautiful celebration of Britain’s favorite bird"When a robin appears, a loved one is near" In 2019, Tony Putman was working as a gardener in Edenbridge, Kent, when he noticed a bold robin sitting on a branch of an old plum tree. The robin glanced in his direction as he approached, but he didn't move, so Tony grabbed his camera and took a photo. This would be the first of hundreds of photos that Tony would take of Bob the robin - and the start of an extraordinary friendship that would last for years. As Tony shared his pictures on his social media account, Putman and Robin, he witnessed an outpouring the love - not just for Bob, but for robins everywhere, who populate our gardens with song and movement even on the direst winter days. In this book, Tony shares his touching journey with Bob, and tells the story of our unwavering affection for these magnificent creatures. This is an informative book about the life of a robin, as well as a beautiful love letter to these spirited and lively birds - who offer us a connection with nature, a moment of contact and a great source of comfort and joy. Read more

A glimpse into the secret lives of over 50 garden birds, with beautiful illustrations and intriguing factsDid you know that woodpeckers are capable of learning simple codes? Hooded crows can form connections with humans? A jay's call affects the behaviour of surrounding squirrels?All these fascinating bird activities and more are revealed in The Hidden Life of Garden Birds. Unusual feeding behaviour is just the tip of the iceberg. From territorial conflict and strange relationships with man, to breeding and nesting oddities, this book exposes all the drama behind garden birds' everyday survival - making it the perfect gift for birdwatchers.The Hidden Life of Garden Birds will enlighten you to the secret going-ons of the common creatures you can spot from the comfort of your back doorstep. Read more

Part field guide, part history, part ornithology primer, and altogether fun. Fact: Pigeons are amazing, and until recently, humans adored them. We've kept them as pets, held pigeon beauty contests, raced them, used them to carry messages over battlefields, harvested their poop to fertilize our crops--and cooked them in gourmet dishes. Now, with The Pocket Guide to Pigeon Watching, readers can rediscover the wonder. Equal parts illustrated field guide and quirky history, it covers behavior: Why they coo; how they flock; how they preen, kiss, and mate (monogamously); and how they raise their young (on chunky pigeon milk). Anatomy and identification, from Birmingham Roller to the American Giant Runt to the Scandaroon. Birder issues, like what to do if you find a baby pigeon stranded in the park. And our lively shared story together, including all the things we've taught them--Ping-Pong, for example. "Rats with wings?" Think again. Pigeons coo, peck and nest all over the world, yet most of us treat them with indifference or disdain. So Rosemary Mosco, a bird-lover, science communicator, writer, and cartoonist (and co-author of The Atlas Obscura Explorer's Guide for the World's Most Adventurous Kid) is here to give the pigeon's image a makeover, and to help every town- and city-dweller get closer to nature by discovering the joys of birding through pigeon-watching. Read more

This accessible, practical guide includes everything you need to know to capture fantastic photographs of birds on your doorstep.Celebrated photographer and wildlife writer Mark Carwardine shares his expert advice and insider tips and tricks for capturing the perfect photo. Whether you have a professional camera and a garden filled with birds, or a smartphone and access to a bird table, his guidance will improve your photography in leaps and bounds.Packed with beautiful photographs, this book is a step-by-step masterclass on garden bird photography - from attracting different species to using artificial rain and capturing spectacular images of birds in flight.Once you've mastered the basics, you can make garden bird photography as simple or as challenging as you like. A robin perched on a garden spade? Easy. A blackbird feeding among fallen leaves? No problem. A blue tit in flight? Might take some planning but still very achievable.And there's more. Garden bird photography isn't only rewarding in its own right - it's also a sensational way to hone wildlife photography and field skills that you can then adapt to suit any subject anywhere in the world. Read more

The perfect gift for nature lovers, in this beautifully illustrated small format hardback, John Lewis-Stempel delves into the cuckoo's unique behaviour and captivating role in our cultural imagination, in folklore, myth, literature and music, turning his exquisite prose to one of the strangest tales of the countryside.---Is there any bird more mysterious than the cuckoo?It is invariably heard, and not seen. And if seen, it is mistaken for a sharp-winged hawk. The female cuckoo - by a trick that borders on alchemy - is able to disguise its egg as another's. In Greek myth the god Zeus assumed the form of a cuckoo to seduce Hera.But we forgive the cuckoo its con-artistry, because it is the true herald of spring. It is the bird that uplifts our wintered hearts, with that first two-note 'cuk-koo' unmistakable as it sounds across the country.In The Curious Life of the Cuckoo, John Lewis-Stempel explains one of nature's greatest enigmas in vivid, lyrical prose, and celebrates this iconic bird.---‘That John Lewis-Stempel is one of the best nature writers of his generation is undisputed.’ – Country Life‘His immense, patient powers of observation – along with a flair for the anthropomorphic – mean he is able to offer a portrait of animal life that's rare in its colour and drama.’ – Observer‘Engaging, closely-observed and beautiful ... this author’s deep love of the world around him is as inspiring as it is entertaining.’ – Daily Mail‘John Lewis-Stempel is the hottest nature writer around.’ – Spectator‘It’s his observation of the natural world – the sight, the sound, the smell of it – that is so memorable. He has a distinctively brisk, muscular style of writing that has a poetic intensity and concision. – Guardian‘His prose is immaculate’ – Der Spiegel‘Lewis-Stempel sees and hears things others will never see and hear, and he can write about them as no one else can.’– Daily Mail: Summer Reads Read more

In his new book, acclaimed science writer Matt Ridley looks to the peculiar mating rituals of birds to better understand the rich origins and ongoing significance of Darwin's sexual selection theory.'FASCINATING' The Times‘Matt Ridley is one of our finest science writers … A treat for bird lovers and evolutionary biologists alike’ Richard DawkinsAnimals rarely treat sex as a simple or mutually beneficial transaction. Choosing a mate is often a transcendent event to be approached with reverence, suspicion, angst and quite a bit of violence. For Matt Ridley, nowhere is this more acute than in birds.From a freezing hide on the Pennine moors at dawn, Ridley closely studies the rare Black Grouse. He is there for the lek – an elaborate courtship ritual of squabbling and strutting males. They dance and sing for hours each day to attract a mate over several months. With most males leaving exhausted and unsuccessful, Ridley looks at how females make their choice to cast fresh light on how such rituals have evolved and why.His pursuit follows five generations of biologists from Darwin and Wallace to the present day, uncovering how they have grappled with the implications of sexual selection as an eccentric, gonzo form of evolution. While most Victorian scientists found it impossible to believe female birds could select mates, Darwin was obsessed with the idea of sexual as well as natural selection.Drawing on his own lifelong passion, Ridley eavesdrops on the elaborate displays of bird species around the world, from the complex art installations made by Bowerbirds in Australia to the bubbling calls of Curlews in the UK’s declining moorlands. In a wonderful blend of nature writing and elegant exploration of recent evolutionary theory, Birds, Sex and Beauty shows not only how mate choice has shaped the natural world, including humans, but how the song and plumage of birds can be thrillingly, breathtakingly beautiful.‘Clear and entertaining … Ridley explains all this history with lucidity and wit’New Statesman‘Most of this fascinating and accessible book is about birds … Ridley, very clearly, loves birds ― and the enthusiasm is infectious’The Times‘This is a fascinating story told with wit, scholarship and the passion of a true conversationist. Lord Ridley writes in the best tradition of great British naturalists’ Country Life‘Birds, Sex & Beauty is a good read. It is a compelling history of sexual selection, rather than a synthesis that moves the field forwards’Nature Read more

'He is delight and joy personified' - Marian Keyes'Set to become BBC's next David Attenborough' - Daily Mail'Brings a little bit of joy to us all' - GuardianDiscover the wonderful world of birdwatching with wildlife cameraman Hamza Yassin - winner of BBC One's Strictly Come Dancing2022 and presenter of BBC documentary Hamza: Strictly Birds of Prey 'Birds have been with me my entire life - from the colourful weaver birds on the banks of the Nile in Sudan to the magpies of Newcastle, from the roosting peregrine falcons near my parents' house in Northampton to the white-tailed eagles on the west coast of Scotland. I love them. If you take the time to stop and listen, you'll see the world through different eyes. It's all out there, waiting for you to find it. And it might just bring you as much joy as it's brought me.'Journey along with Hamza in Be a Birder as he recounts stories of his birding adventures, and shares tips and tricks to help you get started in birdwatching.In this beautifully illustrated guide featuring fifty of Hamza's favourite birds, you will learn how to start identifying birds, understand their behaviour and movements, and find even more exciting birds, wherever you are. Starting with the goldfinch in your garden, to tawny owls in woodlands, to the elusive kingfisher near rivers and marshes, you will build your birdwatching confidence and push yourself further afield to find new feathered wonders.Encouraging us all to stop, step outside and listen, Be a Birder is both a practical guide and a joyous celebration of these incredible creatures. Once you start looking for them, and with Hamza as your guide, your world will be forever changed. Read more

'A cosy and delightful book - a real joy to behold.' Daily Mail'A gorgeous book to be treasured' BBC CountryfileA beautifully illustrated guide to nature through the seasons by much-loved printmaker Angela Harding.This stunning work, the first book that is solely dedicated to Angela's art, is a celebration of her beautiful prints, and a glimpse into her detailed and meticulous process.A Year Unfolding is a journey through Angela's year in nature watching the seasons unfold in front of her from her studio in Rutland, and giving the reader detail into how nature transforms and evolves over the course of the year.A Year Unfolding also tells the stories behind some of Angela's most popular images, giving context to Angela's celebrated work, as well as new art created specifically for the book. The beautiful illustrations and evocative imagery of the prose make this the perfect book for Angela's fans and readers and art lovers everywhere.Angela has created the covers for many bestselling books, including The Salt Path and The Wild Silence by Raynor Winn, October, October by Katya Balen, English Pastoral by James Rebanks, Christmas is Murder by Val McDermid and RSPB Birds among many others. Read more

This exquisite book explores one huge tree in the jungle, from roots to canopy... with a huge fold-out surprise at the end.Offering a perspective rarely seen, Up in the Canopy explores the rainforest layer by layer, as we climb the incredible Kapok tree - a 100-metre tropical tree in the heart of wildest South America - in search of the elusive Harpy eagle which lives almost exclusively at great heights. With artwork as rich and dense as the rainforest itself, there is much to explore at every level, and readers can scour the forest floor, understory and canopy for the world's rarest and most beautiful tropical creatures. Finally reaching the top, they are rewarded with the most magical sight... As told by James Aldred, author of The Man Who Climbed Trees, and published in conjunction with the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. Read more

Embark on an enchanting journey through the skies of the United Kingdom with our comprehensive bird checklist and logbook.Immerse yourself in the abundant world of common, less common, and uncommon birds that grace our landscapes. As you mark each sighting in the logbook, you're not just observing; you're authoring a personal story of the winged wonders that share our skies.This beautiful, professionally designed 100-page bird watching log book is the perfect place to record your treasured memories. It will also make a great gift for every birder and nature lover.This log book offers a place to record:✔ Observation site✔ Season & weather✔ Bird’s location and habitat✔ Bird's appearance✔ Space for notes and photo/sketch✔ Convenient 5" x 8"Birdwatcher Gifts Idea for Every Lover of Birding! Read more

The life, death and afterlife of one of the true icons of extinction, the Great AukThe great auk was a flightless, goose-sized bird superbly adapted for life at sea. Fat, flush with feathers and easy to capture, the birds were in trouble whenever sailors visited their once-remote breeding colonies. Places like Funk Island, off north-east Newfoundland, became scenes of unimaginable slaughter, with birds killed in their millions. By 1800 the auks of Funk Island were gone. A scramble by private collectors for specimens of the final few birds then began, a bloody, unthinking destruction of one of the world's most extraordinary species.But their extinction in 1844 wasn't the end of the great auk story, as the bird went on to have a remarkable afterlife; skins, eggs and skeletons became the focus for dozens of collectors in a story of pathological craving and unscrupulous dealings that goes on to this day.In a book rich with insight and packed with tales of birds and of people, Tim Birkhead reveals previously unimagined aspects of the bird's life before humanity, its death on the killing shores of the North Atlantic, and the unrelenting subsequent quest for its remains.The great auk remains a symbol of human folly and the necessity of conservation. This book tells its story. Read more

‘Wonderful and enriching’ Adam Nicolson‘The best book on conservation and the countryside I have read in years’ John Lewis-Stempel‘A modern pastoral written with intelligence, wit and lyricism’ Cal FlynOur wild places and wildlife are disappearing at a terrifying rate. This is a story about going in search of the people who are trying to save our birds, as well as confronting the enormity of what losing them would really mean.In this beautiful and thought-provoking blend of nature and travel writing Patrick Galbraith sets off across Britain on a journey that may well be his last chance to see some of our disappearing birds. Along the way, from Orkney to West Wales, from the wildest places to post-industrial towns, he meets a fascinatingly eclectic group of people who in very different ways are on the front line of conservation, tirelessly doing everything they can to save ten species teetering dangerously close to extinction.In Search of One Last Song mixes conservation, folklore, history, and art. Through talking to musicians, writers and poets, whose work is inspired by the birds he manages to see, such as the nightingale and the capercaillie, Galbraith creates a picture of the immense cultural void that would be left behind if these birds were gone.Among those he meets, there are feelings of great frustration. There are reed cutters and coppicers whose ancient crafts have long sustained vital habitats for some of our rarest birds but whose voices often go unheard. There are ornithologists who think their warnings are being ignored, and there are gamekeepers and animal rights activists who both feel they are on the right side of an increasingly ugly battle. Ultimately, it emerges that many of the birds Galbraith encounters could thrive, but it would require much better cooperation between those who are caught up in the struggle for their future. It also becomes clear that while losing birds like the turtle dove and black grouse will result in a paler country for all of us, for some of those who live alongside them, it will mean the bitterly painful end of so much more. Read more