Raptors of the World: A Field Guide

by James Ferguson-Lees, David A. Christie

Overview

A dedicated field guide to the world's raptors

Raptors – predatory birds that include the falcons, eagles, hawks, harriers, buzzards, kites and the Osprey – have been watched, admired, studied and painted from ancient times. Our understanding of the biology, ecology and taxonomy of these birds was condensed into one of the finest monographs of the century to date, Raptors of the World, by James Ferguson-Lees and David Christie.

This field guide represents the next step on from that magnificent work. It features plates by some of the world's leading bird artists, with a concise text and a colour distribution map on facing pages, creating a lightweight field reference that covers all 340 raptor species, from the sparrow-sized Black-thighed Falconet to the mighty Steller's Sea-eagle, and everything in between.

Armed with this guide, birders will be able to identify any bird of prey they encounter anywhere in the world with confidence.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780713669572
Publisher:	Bloomsbury USA
Publication date:	08/05/2025
Series:	Helm Field Guides
Pages:	320
Product dimensions:	6.14(w) x 9.21(h) x 0.71(d)

About the Author

James Ferguson-Lees (1929-2017) was a a giant of 20th-century ornithology in Britain. An editor of British Birds magazine, he served as President of the British Trust for Ornithology, Deputy Director of the RSPB, and Records Committee Chairman of the British Ornithologists' Union. Ferguson-Lees also helped establish both the British Birds Rarities Committee and the Rare Breeding Birds Panel. He is perhaps best remembered for his exposure (with Max Nicholson) of the long-standing fraud known as 'The Hastings Rarities Affair'. Ferguson-Lees was the author of several books, including the monumental Raptors of the World and its spin-off field guide, both published by Helm.

David A. Christie is an ornithologist, editor and translator. He is co-author of a number of books, including the award-winning Woodpeckers and Raptors of the World.

Editorial Reviews

The guide is certain to be much used and appreciated by raptor enthusiasts worldwide.” —British Ornithologists Union

“My next birding trip is to Brazil … this raptor guide will be travelling with me.” —Birdwatch

“I will use it frequently especially as a comprehensive review of the world of raptors and in courses I teach on raptor biology.” —The Emu

From the Publisher