This book presents the most complete and up-to-date guide for the recognition of the diurnal raptors of Europe and the Middle East. More than 700 high quality color photographs have been specifically chosen to demonstrate the plumage of each age and sex class of every species found in Europe and the Middle East. The photographs are complemented by almost 100 line drawings focusing on particular identification details, and are backed up by a detailed text enabling birdwatchers to recognize even the most difficult species. The latest information, much of it previously unpublished, describes the plumage and soft part coloration of each category of bird, and compares and contrasts with similar plumages of species which may cause confusion. The book discusses the difficulties caused by stage of moult, variation in light conditions, and changes in silhouette arising from different flight types. Fully referenced with a list of nearly 300 key papers and articles, this book is an essential reference to the field identification of every species, age, and sex class of raptors. Key Features: The first comprehensive collection of photographs of European raptors showing all plumages of species in the field Descriptions of every age class of each sex More than 700 high quality color photographs and 100 line drawings Valuable notes comparing difficult-to-identify species Species List: Osprey (Pandion haliaetus). Honey Buzzard (Pernis apivorus). Black-shouldered Kite (Elanus caeruleus). Red Kite (Milvus milvus). Black Kite (Milvus migrans). White-tailed Eagle (Haliaeeutus albicilla). Bearded Vulture or Lammergeier (Gypaetus barbatus). Egyptian Vulture (Neophron perenopterus). Griffon Vulture (Gyps fulvus). Black Vulture (Aegypius monachus). Lappet-faced Vulture (Torgos tracheliotus). Short-toed Eagle (Circaetus gallicus). Marsh Harrier (Circus aeruginosus). Hen Harrier (Circus cyaneus). Pallid Harrier (Circus macrourus). Montagu's Harrier (Circus pygargus). Levant Sparrowhawk (Accipiter brevipes). Sparrowhawk (Accipiter nisus). Goshawk (Accipiter gentilis). Common Buzzard (Buteo buteo). Steppe Buzzard (Buteo buteo vulpinus). Long-legged Buzzard (Buteo rufinus). Rough-legged Buzzard (Buteo lagopus). Lesser Spotted Eagle (Aquila pomarina). Greater Spotted Eagle (Aquila clanga). Steppe Eagle (Aquila nipalensis). Spanish Imperial Eagle (Aquila adalberti). Eastern Imperial Eagle (Aquila heliaca). Golden Eagle (Aquila chrysaetos). Bonelli's Eagle (Hieraaetus fasciatus). Booted Eagle (Hieraaetus pennatus). Lesser Kestrel (Falco naumanni). Kestrel (Falco tinnunculus). Red-footed Falcon (Falco vespertinus). Eleonora's Falcon (Falco eleonorae). Sooty Falcon (Falco concolor). Merlin (Falco columbarius). Hobby (Falco subbuteo). Lanner Falcon (Falco biarmicus). Saker Falcon (Falco cherrug). Gyr Falcon (Falco rusticolus). Peregrine Falcon (Falco peregrinus). Barbary Falcon (Falco peregrinus pelegrinoides).