There are several new aspects to the book. It has new plates by Alan Harris, updated maps and an annotated list of all raptors. There are 25 extra raptors, these being elevated to full species level.

After just an hour's train journey skimming through it I can definetely recommend it for anyone's Christmas list.


A must have book..   June 17, 2002
 6 out of 6 found this review helpful

You really will thank yourself every time you pick up this book and open it's pages.The birds contained range from the familiar to the exotic.This is the only reference book I own that I treat with respect..


If you are into raptors - don't miss this great book   October 25, 2001
 6 out of 6 found this review helpful

This fantastic book covers all the raptors of the world. The book is extraordinary good in the descriptions of the birds of prey, and the plates are fantastic. The book includes illustrations of adults, juvenile, male and female birds, and all the illustrations are great.

Furthermore there is introdoctionary chapters on identification of raptors, on their migration, breeding patterns etc.

It's great finally to have a single book covering all the raptors of the world, especially when the book is as great as this one. Everybody who have an interest in raptors simply needs to own it.

The only problem as far as I can see is, that it's impossible to take the book with you into the field, so I guess you still need your normal fieldguide.


At last - an definite guide to Raptors !   October 7, 2001
 20 out of 21 found this review helpful

...you might hesitate before buying this book. Well, let me tell you that as soon as I saw the book I knew I had to buy it! I've always found it frustrating that there had been, until now no book that covered all the raptors in the world. The book stands on the quality of its artwork, and I have to say the plates are superb, no stiffly posed portraits here! They are beautiful to behold as well as detailed and informative. I particularly liked Philip Burton's plates of the Gyr Falcon, including a scene of the frozen north putting the bird into its lanscape. But remember, this is an identification guide and the plates do concentrate, as they should, on depicting the birds in such a way as to aid comparison. I haven't had much of a chance to read the extensive text, but it follows the same format as other books of this series, with very informative chapters on such things as age and sex. All very tricky aspects of raptor id.

All in all, this is a huge book, in both weight and value: so don't hesitate, treat yourself, it's fantastic value for money.