First published in 1993, Sasol Birds of Southern Africa is one of the best-selling field guides on the African continent. This fourth edition has been rewritten and greatly improved, ensuring it remains the region’s most comprehensively illustrated and trusted field guide. In this fourth edition: species accounts have been rewritten and now include group introductions; plates have been newly designed for ease of use and comparison; more than 380 new improved illustrations replace earlier ones; illustrations have simplified labels, pinpointing key differentiating features; distribution maps have been updated, showing the relative abundance of a species in the region, and also indicating resident or migrant status. Other features include calendar bars that show species’ occurrence and breeding periods, a section on ‘how to use this book’, as well as sonograms depicting the calls of difficult-to-distinguish birds that have distinctive calls.

This practical, straightforward guide to some of the most commonly seen birds in southern Africa is aimed at beginner birders, or even juniors. Less daunting than a full-blown field guide, it’s handy and accessible, combining simple text with clear artwork and photographs to introduce 300 of the region’s easy-to-see birds. For each bird the book offers: simple text, including how to ‘find it’, ‘identify it’ and ‘understand it’; colour images, both illustrations and photographs; a distribution map; common English names, plus scientific, Afrikaans and other African names; average size, details of the nest and the number of eggs laid on average; interest boxes for some birds, providing extra information. Colourful, to-the-point and offering quick ID pointers, this book should find a ready market among southern African birders and outdoor enthusiasts.

A field guide to birds of Southern Africa which provides alternative names.

New in Struik Nature’s Pocket Guide series, this book covers an astonishing 500 southern African birds yet is small enough to fi t in your pocket. It is loaded with information that makes for quick and easy bird identification. Colour photographs show each bird, giving both male and female images where there’s a difference. Concise text pinpoints key identifi cation features. Distribution maps locate each species in the region. Calendar bars show the months when the birds are more likely to be seen. Bird size and breeding months are indicated. For use at home or when travelling to new climes, this handy pocket guide will be an indispensable companion.

Now in its fifth edition, Sasol Birds of Southern Africa has been brought fully up to date by its expert author panel, with additional contributions from two new birding experts. Greatly enhanced, this comprehensive, best-selling guide is sure to maintain its place as one of Africa’s most trusted field guides. Sales points: More than 800 new illustrations. Scan and play bird calls using free downloadable app. Fully revised text (with latest species records), maps and plate annotations. Fresh input from new contributing authors. Comprehensive coverage of the region’s birds.

In seven chapters Tarboton and Erasmus present each of Southern Africa's owl species. The guide tells readers where and when to look and listen for owls, what tell-tale signs to look for, how to encourage them to your garden, and where to find nests. It also discusses conservation issues regarding owls. Owls are introduced in their various aspects, and the chapters are grouped according to habitat - for example, city owls, bushveld owls, and owls that live near water.

Only a small proportion of the more than 1,100 entries have been retained from the earlier editions and supplements, 1955 to 1983; more publications reflecting social and economic changes in South Africa have been included; and the annotations are more extensive. The main focus is on references such as dictionaries, yearbooks, and encyclopedias, but handbooks, manuals, and histories are cited if no conventional references exist on the subject. The selection is not limited to books published in South Africa. The arrangement is by broad subject headings following the Dewey Decimal system. The annotations are primarily descriptive, but evaluations creep in now and again. Distributed by Books International. Annotation copyrighted by Book News, Inc., Portland, OR

This guide provides species-to-species accounts of the nesting habits of each bird, the types of nests they build, and a summary of their breeding biology (laying months, clutch size, egg size, incubation and nestling periods).