Bound with a durable soft cover, this guide's pages are packed with beautiful illustrations, key points of identification, species location maps, and alternative views to aid identification, all easily located within a two-page spread.
Below, the species page spread for the Laughing Kookaburra (top left on the color plate).
In the detail below, you can see a comparison between the Laughing Kookaburra and its close cousin, the Blue-winged Kookaburra. Smaller illustrations compare the two birds' color patterns in flight.
As you move to the left of the page spread, you find a description of key plumage along with a location map. Supplemental line illustrations give more ID clues showing postures, behavior and plumage variations.
And if you need a refresher on just what constitutes this bird's 'open forest' habitat, there is a handy reference section in the back entitled, "Where the birds live", an illustrated key to all the habitats found in Australia. Every field guide should have this feature! Habitat is crucial information, important to learn right along with field marks.
Some of the other outstanding features of this guide:
- How to observe a bird
- Key to bird families
- Vagrant bird bulletin
- Breeding information
- Australian island territories checklists
- Hints for birdwatchers
- A glossary of terms
- List of birdwatching and naturalists organizations
- List of recommended books to enhance your bird knowledge
Of course, as an artist, my favorite part of the book is the visual species information found in the 132 beautifully illustrated full-color plates.
As a relative beginner, I loved the handy and practical 'Hints' section. And as a person who always enjoys digging deeper, the glossary of terms and breeding section were both winners. Designed for experienced birders, as well as, beginners, this field guide browses like eye candy, packs volumes of information in every page, and offers over 900 line drawings to give its user even more information in a snapshot. A highly recommended addition to your field guide collection!
And now for the GIVE-AWAY!
If you would like to win a free copy of this guide, all you have to do is write a note in the comments section of this blog post telling me why you're just the right person to receive a free copy of the 8th Edition of Simpson & Day's Field Guide to the Birds of Australia. Enter your comment by midnight July 31st (EDT). I will select the story that impresses me the most and announce the winner on August 1st. The winner will receive their new field guide directly from the publisher, Penguin Australia.
If you would like to win a free copy of this guide, all you have to do is write a note in the comments section of this blog post telling me why you're just the right person to receive a free copy of the 8th Edition of Simpson & Day's Field Guide to the Birds of Australia. Enter your comment by midnight July 31st (EDT). I will select the story that impresses me the most and announce the winner on August 1st. The winner will receive their new field guide directly from the publisher, Penguin Australia.
