D. G. Allan

Basics: 1996, softcover, 144 pages, color photographs of 88 species, range maps

Of the many books in this series of compact photographic guides, I believe this is the better one of them all. The five reasons are (1) most of the species (88 of 115, 75%) are included; (2) multiple photos are offered for each bird; (3) larger photos are supplied; (4) multiple in-flight illustrations are provided for most of the falcons, kites, and eagles; and (5) the text is longer with greater emphasis on description and identification.

Nearly all birds are shown with 2-3 good photos. A few of the birds are shown with only one photo. These photos are clear, well lit, and usually of good size. A few small inset photos are sometimes added to display the bird soaring. The quality illustrations are a very welcome touch. These color paintings provide in-flight images that provide good information for identification.

Each bird receives at least one long paragraph. Most of this is dedicated to describing the various plumages of the bird along with notes on subspecies and comparisons to similar species. A few additional lines are usually given for habitat, range, and behavior. The information is very useful and is definitely more in-depth than in any of the other photographic guides in this series.

The range map is small (2.5 x 1.5cm) and covers the entire southern half of the African continent. This means the ranges are generalized, but still useful.

As a small note, the title of this book says “Central and East”. According to the range outlined in the book, this is not quite accurate. Instead, the book covers southern Africa (Namibia, Botswana, Zambia, etc.) and southeastern Africa (coastal countries from Mozambique north to only Kenya).

This little guide is more useful and more detailed than I had expected. It will certainly be of use and easy to carry in the field.

I’ve listed several related books below…
1) African Birds of Prey by Tarboton
2) Birds of Prey of Southern Africa: Their Identification and Life Histories by Steyn
3) Raptors of the World by Ferguson-Lees
4) Birds of Africa South of the Sahara by Sinclair
5) Newman's Birds of Southern Africa by Newman
6) Larger Illustrated Guide to Birds of Southern Africa by Arlott/Sinclair
7) Southern African Birds: A Photographic Guide by Sinclair (ISBN 1868257851)… (meer)