The Complete Birds of the World: Every Species Illustrated

by Norman Arlott, Ber van Perlo, Jorge R. Rodriguez Mata, Gustavo Carrizo, Aldo A. Chiappe

Overview

The ultimate reference book for birdwatchers and bird lovers—the first single-volume book to illustrate all of the world’s bird species

This is a book like no other—the only truly comprehensive, one-volume illustrated guide to all of the world’s birds, covering the complete International Ornithological Congress World Bird List. Featuring more than 300 stunning large-format, full-color plates, this accessible and authoritative encyclopedic reference presents incredibly detailed, accurate, and beautiful paintings of more than 10,700 species by some of the world’s best bird artists, led by the legendary Norman Arlott and Ber van Perlo. In addition, The Complete Birds of the World provides detailed but concise identification information about each species on facing pages—including facts about voice, habitat, and geographic distribution. The result is a visual and verbal feast that captures the astonishing variety of bird life around the planet—and that will be cherished by any birder.

• Illustrates more than 10,700 species, covering the complete International Ornithological Congress World Bird List, and including all major adult plumages for each
• Features more than 300 stunning large-format, full-color plates by some of the world’s leading bird artists
• Presents detailed but concise identification information about each species on facing pages—including facts about voice, habitat, and geographic distribution

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780691193922
Publisher:	Princeton University Press
Publication date:	09/07/2021
Pages:	640
Sales rank:	237,095
Product dimensions:	8.90(w) x 11.10(h) x 1.80(d)

About the Author

Norman Arlott is the author and illustrator of many books, including Birds of North America and Greenland and Birds of the West Indies (both Princeton). His artwork has also appeared on postage stamps from Jamaica, the Bahamas, Liberia, Fiji, and other countries. Ber van Perlo is the author and illustrator of many books, including Birds of South America: Passerines and Birds of Hawaii, New Zealand, and the Central and West Pacific (both Princeton). Jorge R. Rodriguez Mata, Gustavo Carrizo, Aldo A. Chiappe, and Luis Huber are some of the most-renowned illustrators working in South America. They have contributed to Birds of South America (Non-Passerines) and Birds of Southern South America and Antarctica (both Princeton).

Editorial Reviews

"[The Complete Birds of the World] is accessibly written, practically designed, and one of a kind."—-Matt Mendenhall, BirdWatching

"Paging through this book is an intellectual adventure."—-Jim Williams, Star Tribune

From the Publisher

02/01/2022

This work features color paintings of more than 10,700 species of bird (covering every bird species on the International Ornithological Committee's list) by illustrators Arlott (Birds of North America and Greenland) and van Perlo (Birds of South America: Passerines), with additional illustrations by Gustavo Carrizo, Aldo A. Chiappe, Luis Huber, and Jorge R. Rodriguez Mata. It is a pioneering work, with 301 crowded color plates in large format. With up to 43 species per plate and images selected from 17 previous bird guides (most of them published by Collins), it is an extraordinary reference work, enhanced by brief notes on bird identification, vocalizations, habitats, and distribution. Paintings show plumage variation by sex but not immatures or seasonal differences. Most are good depictions but some are poor; red tones are often too bright. The volume's single map is useless (it labels continents and oceans but not countries), but otherwise this fine book is very easy to use. VERDICT In spite of its many virtues, this volume is liable to be thoroughly eclipsed by Joseph del Hoyo's All the Birds of the World, which depicts 11,524 species, based on all four major world lists; is 311 pages longer; and boasts superior art and more maps (well worth the higher price, about $100). Still, Arlott and van Perlo's work is a strong addition for larger collections.—Henry T. Armistead

Library Journal