Grant, Dave

English

A review of the 3rd Edition of the Collins Bird Guide

Research Repository and Portal - University of the West of Scotland

 UWS Academic PortalBook reviewGrant, DavePublished in:Ayrshire BirdingPublished: 23/12/2022Document VersionPublisher's PDF, also known as Version of recordLink to publication on the UWS Academic PortalCitation for published version (APA):Grant, D. (2022). Book review: Collins Bird Guide 3rd Edition. Ayrshire Birding. https://www.ayrshire-birding.org.uk/2022/12/book-review-collins-bird-guide-3rd-edition/#more-3707General rightsCopyright and moral rights for the publications made accessible in the UWS Academic Portal are retained by the authors and/or othercopyright owners and it is a condition of accessing publications that users recognise and abide by the legal requirements associated withthese rights.Take down policyIf you believe that this document breaches copyright please contact pure@uws.ac.uk providing details, and we will remove access to thework immediately and investigate your claim.Download date: 12 Jun 20236/9/23, 9:36 AM Book Review: Collins Bird Guide 3rd Edition | Ayrshire Birdinghttps://www.ayrshire-birding.org.uk/2022/12/book-review-collins-bird-guide-3rd-edition/#more-3707 1/2Ayrshire BirdingFor people interested in wild birds in AyrshireBook Review: Collins Bird Guide 3rd EditionCollins Bird Guide 3rd EditionThe Collins Bird Guide was first published in 1999 and instantly became the go-to guide for all birders. The 2ndedition was published in 2009 with a subsequent reprint with further amendments in 2018 (though not enoughamendments to call it a 3rd edition). The long-awaited 3rd edition was finally published earlier this December. Is itstill the go-to guide for birders?The first thing to understand is that guidebooks with painted prints portray the ideal plumage of a species,whereas photographic guides present a snapshot image of that species at that particular time. Photographicguides often require many more images to capture the species plumage effectively, whereas guides which usepainted prints can convey plumage differences in fewer images, though there will always be those birds which, inthe field, appear different to those in the guidebook. Remember these guidebooks portray the ‘normal’ plumagesfor that species so it is still important to develop good field skills to pick out those identification points for com-parison with the guidebook images.The 3rd edition has 32 additional pages on the 2nd edition (2009) though only 28 additional pages on the 2018reprint. What is interesting and a good addition are those species plates that have given more space with morelarger images in varying plumages. Loons (divers), on pages 60-63, have been treated to this expansion and nowinclude Pacific Loon in the main body of description.6/9/23, 9:36 AM Book Review: Collins Bird Guide 3rd Edition | Ayrshire Birdinghttps://www.ayrshire-birding.org.uk/2022/12/book-review-collins-bird-guide-3rd-edition/#more-3707 2/2The entire text and all maps have been revised and updated, such as Great Grey Owl and Ural Owl (page 232-233)which show amended distribution.The taxonomy reflects the latest thoughts at the point of publication, but given the dynamic nature of avian tax-onomy, this is already out of date. Page 70 refers to Yelkouan and Balearic Shearwater, however, recent researchon genetic analysis suggests that these two species should be lumped together (BOU has yet to act upon this).Many of the plates have been reprinted with a greater vibrancy and accuracy in the colour portrayal, which addsto the guides effectiveness in portraying plumages and thereby assisting with identification. Black Redstart (page292-293) is one such species that has been updated and its images, when compared with the earlier edition, areclearly brighter and more defined. The addition of more subspecies, for this species, is a welcome addition.Bird families which have been given more space or new plates include grouse, loons (divers), terns, owls, swifts,woodpeckers, swallows and redstarts amongst others. Of particular note are the new raptor plates which givemore space, larger more vibrant images showing a wider range of plumages. A great example of this are the har-rier plates (page 106-109) which when compared with the earlier edition are clearly brighter and more informat-ive. The expanded text also reflects this improvement.So, is this new edition worth acquiring? There is always going to be a bit of compromise when trying to includeup to date information on bird species in a field guide but once again the authors (Svensson, Mullarney andZetterstrom) have produced an excellent, updated guidebook which will become an essential companion tobirders throughout Europe.Dave GrantThis entry was posted in Articles, News on 23-Dec-2022 [https://www.ayrshire-birding.org.uk/2022/12/book-re-view-collins-bird-guide-3rd-edition/] .

Book review:Collins Bird Guide 3rd Edition

https://myresearchspace.uws.ac.uk/ws/files/40078839/2022_12_23_Grant_Book_final.pdf

Book review:Collins Bird Guide 3rd Edition

Abstract

Similar works

Full text

Available Versions

Research Repository and Portal - University of the West of Scotland