Rafael Antonio Galvez

Basics: 2005, 1st edition, softcover, 128 pages, 49 color plates, 45 species, range maps, US$35

This is a small field guide covering all the hawks, eagles, falcons, and owls of Georgia -- not USA, but a small country wedged between Russia and Turkey. This is a superb guide with quality artwork. The owls each have 3-5 different illustrations while the more variable hawks and falcons have 6-17 different illustrations. The various phases of the birds are shown from multiple angles, both in flight and perched. Where applicable, the plumages of male vs. female or adult vs. juvenile are displayed.

The one-paragraph text is written in both English and Georgian. The authors did a good job relaying the finer points of identification on males, females, and juveniles. One or two sentences offer tips for distinguishing the birds from the confusing species. There is also brief information for each bird on habitat, food, nest, and eggs.

The range maps use five different colors to denote summering, wintering, breeding, migrating, and year-round ranges.

Given the small size of this book, it would be easy to carry along with any of the other complete European field guides. I know I would have carried this with me and would certainly have benefitted by it during my visit to nearby Turkey.

Other Related Books:
1) The Raptors of Europe and the Middle East: A Handbook of Field Identification by Forsman
2) A Field Guide to the Raptors of Europe, the Middle East and North Africa by Clark
3) Flight Identification of European Raptors by Porter et.al.
4) Birds of Prey of Britain and Europe by Wallace
5) Raptors of the World by Ferguson-Lees
6) Guide des Rapaces Diurnes by Gensbol
7) Les Rapaces d'Europe by Suetens
8) Birds of Europe by Mullarney et. al.
9) Birds of Europe with North Africa and the Middle East by Jonsson… (plus d'informations)