Collins Bird Guide: An essential field guide for birdwatchers of all skill levels

Although I don't like books which rely on drawings only, this one makes up for it with thorough descriptions, habitat drawings (this is a unique and very nice touch), and a full list of rare and introduced birds, as well as vagrants towards the end. This book is more technical than some others like the Princeton wildguides Europe's Birds (unquestionably the best ID guide on European birds), but is extremely useful regardless.There are minor errors, however, which I would like to point out:The Ruddy Shelduck range is wrong. They are acclimatised and happily living wild in Moscow and the immediate surroundings.The claim that the Dalmatian pelican is not recorded in Britain is wrong. One was seen in Cornwall in 2016, and resembled a wild bird more than an escapeeThe claim that little bittern doesn't breed in the UK is wrong. They happily live in eg the Avalon marshes, and have been recorded breeding not just thereThe section on bald ibis was disappointing. It, like many others, ignores the wild, free-flying Spanish population reintroduced to the south of the country. Maybe it has an embargo against reintroduced specimens, but other birds eg the capercaillie are entirely descended from reintroductions in the UK, as are bearded vultures in the Alps (which it has no problem showing there).The spoonbill has for years bred in the UKWhite-tailed eagles exist in the Isle of Wight as well as ScotlandMontagu's harrier became extinct in the UK as a breeding bird in 2020Pallid harrier has bred for years in the Netherlands and Spain, but this is not shownGolden oriole has not bred in the UK since 2009, and has been extinct as a summering bird since 2015Lady Amherst's Pheasant can now be safely excluded from the guide- the species is effectively extinct in the UK, with a single lonely male alive as of 2023. Same applies for the golden pheasant- it is effectively extinct too after a massive population crashThese small points aside, this is a great book, I did not regret buying it

Great book for birders.

Great book just what I wanted to show all the birds on my travels

If its not in here it probably doesn't have wings. Comprehensive with very clear illustrations. we wanted this for species seen in S France and Sweden. It delivered.

This book as most know is one of the best the only problem is with amazon packaging.some are arriving in a normal card packet with no protection so it leaves the book cover ragged or ripped.this was a replacement as the first cover was ripped on both sides the second a bit marked.this is because it's loose in the packet.come on amazon put them back in wrapping with the card over both ends not a packet not intended for books

Still the best bird guide on the market. For those who still prefer a book rather than the app.

Beautiful book with colour illustrations.

Packed with useful information. Great starter book for birding. It was recommended to me by a local nature trust volunteer for which I’m eternally grateful.