The Compact Australian Bird Guide

Reviews

"The compact guide admirably fulfils its stated purpose of being a concise and portable field guide for experienced ornithologists and an aid for the newcomer to bird watching in Australia (including overseas visitors) in making rapid, accurate field identifications without being swamped by too much detail."
Alan Lill, Association of Field Ornithologists, 17 April 2023

"This book is perfect for use in the field, for all levels of birdwatching skill, and its comprehensive content makes it perfect for resident and visiting birdwatchers alike."
Jonathan T. Coleman, International Journal of Avian Science, 2023

"It fits easily into a day-pack and can be quickly deployed, even when one is handling binoculars, a notebook, camera and other birding paraphernalia. [...] It is well-made well-bound and hard-wearing. It is clearly made for the tough Australian conditions"
Canberra Bird Notes, December 2022

"While the dazzling diversity of Australia's birds is something to be celebrated, it can all be a little overwhelming for someone who is new to birds. The Compact Australian Bird Guide achieves the delicate balance of being comprehensive yet concise, accurate yet accessible. The straightforward layout, succinct text and beautiful illustrations allow for a greater appreciation and understanding of Australian birds. For the novice bird lover, The Compact Australian Bird Guide will unlock the mysteries of Australian bird identification and for the seasoned birder it will be like seeing the familiar with fresh eyes."
Sean Dooley, BirdLife Australia

"This book succeeds splendidly as a compact aid to bird identification. Congratulations to all concerned and highly recommended as a valuable, proper and convenient, field identification guide"
Clifford B. Frith, Peter S. Valentine, Australian Field Ornithology (39), 2022

"This compact book is designed to provide beginners and experienced birdwatchers with a convenient, quick and beautifully illustrated identification guide to more than 700 bird species that are residents of or regular visitors to the Australian mainland and Tasmania, and surrounding seas."
The Gardens, Summer 2023

"This user-friendly, beautifully illustrated book is a guide to all bird species commonly found in Australia. Featuring more than 700 bird species that are residents of, or regular visitors to, Australia’s mainland, Tasmania and its surrounding oceans, this is a useful quick reference guide for both beginners and experienced birdwatchers."
Gardening Australia, September 2022

"I love big field guides. But I do not love lugging them around in the field, or on airplanes, or on long hikes. That’s why I’m absolutely delighted with the new Compact Australian Bird Guide."
Justine E. Hausheer, The Nature Conservancy (Blog: Cool Green Science), 3 October 2022

"Whether you’re a dedicated birder, someone with passing interest who wants a straightforward reference, or you’re a beginner keen to build knowledge, The Compact Australian Bird Guide is a first-class asset."
R M Williams, Outback, November 2022

Details

Paperback | August 2022 | $ 34.99
ISBN: 9781486312245 | 264 pages | 198 x 120 mm
Publisher: CSIRO Publishing
Colour Paintings, Maps

Features

• Allows quick identification of bird species by providing concise information on plumage, habitat, voice and size.
• Combines superb illustrations from The Australian Bird Guide with carefully crafted text and an easy-to-follow layout to guide the user to fast and accurate identifications.
• Includes up-to-date distribution maps and icons that indicate how likely you are to encounter each species.
• Provides visual quick guides to easily compare species.
• Structured by the broad habitat where a species is most likely to be encountered: marine, freshwater and land.
• Compact portable size, ideal for birdwatching and field trips.
• Uses current taxonomy.
• Covers all bird species regularly found on the Australian mainland and nearshore islands, or adjacent seas.

Contents

Alphabetical index to bird groups
Key to abbreviations and symbols
Acknowledgements
Introduction
Species accounts

Marine and coastal birds

Freshwater birds

Land birds

Index

Authors

Jeff Davies is an Australian artist with a focus on portraits of Australian birds and their environments.

Peter Menkhorst is a zoologist at the Arthur Rylah Institute for Environmental Research, Victoria.

Danny Rogers is an ecologist at the Arthur Rylah Institute for Environmental Research, Victoria.

Rohan Clarke is a lecturer in the School of Biological Sciences at Monash University.

Peter Marsack is an award-winning artist based in Canberra.

Kim Franklin is an artist and illustrator who has exhibited worldwide.