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NHM bird related books

The books are ordered by publication date with the most recent at the top of the page.

Natural History Museum publications pages

Bird related publications
Art Of Nature series
Images Of Nature series
Other nature art books
Books about the museum
Other publications

Also see:

Catalogue Of The Birds In The British Museum (1874-1898)

Catalogue Of Birds' Eggs In The British Museum (1901-12)

Natural History Museum

Birds: A Complete Guide to Their Biology and Behaviour

Jonathan Elphick

2016

"Explore the wonders of the avian world with this comprehensive and fully illustrated guide to every aspect of bird life. Highly respected ornithologist and wildlife expert, Jonathan Elphick, begins by defining the distinguishing features of birds before going on to describe their evolution since the age of the dinosaurs. With the aid of fact boxes and clear photographs, he then explores in greater detail each of the significant elements of bird life: bird biology including anatomy, walking and swimming, plumage, calls and songs; flight techniques and styles; food and feeding; bird lifestyles and social relationships; breeding, growth and development; bird geography and habitats; and the mysteries of migration. He also considers human attitudes towards birds through the ages."

The World Of Birds

Jonathan Elphick

2014

"The World of Birds is a groundbreaking guide to every aspect of bird life and a complete survey of the world's orders and families of birds. Written by eminent natural history expert Jonathan Elphick and with special photography from award-winning wildlife photographer David Tipling, it is the ultimate companion for birders, wildlife enthusiasts and anyone wanting an accessible and accurate acccount of these amazing creatures. The book begins by examining the evolution of birds since the age of the dinosaurs. It then explores in greater detail each of the significant elements of bird life: bird biology including anatomy, physiology, the brain and senses, plumage, calls and songs; flight techniques and styles; food and feeding; bird lifestyles and social relationships; breeding, growth and development; bird geography and habitats; and migration. The second part of the book provides a comprehensive survey of the world's birds which includes an introduction to the 32 orders and a detailed account and concise fact panel for every one of the 195 families. A glossary, further reading list and two indexes ensure easy reference."

The Birds of America

John James Audubon

The Natural History Museum

2013

"This is a complete edition of John James Audubon's nineteenth century masterpiece, The Birds of America. To create this hardback edition, the Natural History Museum's own original double elephant size folio was disbound and each of the 435 beautiful hand-coloured prints was specially photographed. The artworks are accompanied by the scientific descriptions that were used in the original The Birds of America and there is also a new introduction by David Allen Sibley, a world-renowned bird artist, ornithologist and author."

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The Birds of America

John James Audubon

2011

"First published in double elephant size (approximately a metre tall) in the first half of the nineteenth century, it is famous for its stunning life-size illustrations of birds set within landscaped backgrounds. The book was issued in parts over eleven years and only around 200 completed sets were ever produced. Less than 120 of these survive today, locked away in museums, galleries and private collections around the world. To create this complete edition of Audubon's masterpiece, each of the 435 beautiful hand-coloured prints was specially photographed from the Natural History Museum's own original edition. The artworks are accompanied by the scientific descriptions that were used in the original Birds of America and there is also a new introduction by world-renowned bird artist, ornithologist and author David Allen Sibley."

Atlas of Bird Migration: Tracing the Great Journeys of the World's Birds

Jonathan Elphick

The Natural History Museum

2007

"How far can birds fly? Where do they go? And why? Follow one of nature's most enigmatic and breathtaking spectacles with the "Natural History Museum Atlas of Bird Migration". This fascinating and comprehensive book traces the world migration routes of over 100 species. An illustrated introduction explains flight techniques, feeding, biology and navigation including the amazing results of new satellite tracking. Additional sections focus on the current environmental threats to migratory species and conservation initiatives worldwide. A supplementary catalogue details the routes of 500 additional migrant bird species. With stunning maps and artwork throughout, this authoritative and up-to-date guide will captivate amateur bird watchers and nature enthusiasts alike. From cranes and cuckoos to wagtails and woodpeckers, this indispensable reference reveals the mysteries of these remarkable journeys."

Birds: The Art of Ornithology

Jonathan Elphick

2004

"This breathtaking collection of important and beautiful ornithological art from London's Natural History Museum traces its development from the Renaissance through the scientific approach favored in the Age of Exploration. Included are brilliantly reproduced artworks by the world's great naturalists and scientists such as Audubon and Humboldt, along with the legion of Victorian explorers who catalogued the world's avifauna before photography finally prevailed as the primary means of recording the natural world. The lively and informative text tells how ornithological art grew out of the naturalistic tradition of European painting to become a genre of its own where the artist's focus on aesthetics was married to the scientist's need for precision and detail. Weaving together science, art history, biography, and travel, it paints a wondrous picture of a bygone world of artist-scientists, exotic birds, and faraway lands, making it truly the perfect gift for anyone who loves vintage prints and drawings or has an interest in nature or birding."

Dino-Birds: From Dinosaurs to Birds

Angela Milner

2002

"This text explores the ever-growing evidence supporting the evolution of dinosaurs to birds. Dinosaur expert Angela Milner looks at the astounding fossil "feathery" dinosaurs from China and the bird fossils from other sights around the world, to take us on a journey from those dinosaurs to the birds we see today. Looking at the people involved and the debates that ensued, this should be an exciting little book packed with information on every page and illustrated throughout."

Owls

John Gould, Edward Lear, Archibald Thorburn, John James Audubon and Alexander Wilson

1991

A selection of illustrations of owls by five of the most famous bird artists from the archive of the Natural History Museum in London. The artists represented are John Gould, Edward Lear, Alexander Wilson, John James Audubon and Archibald Thorburn.

Ducks

John Gould, Alexander Wilson and J.J. Audubon

Natural History Museum Library / Wordsworth Editions

1991

A selection of illustrations of ducks by three of the most famous bird artists from the archive of the Natural History Museum in London. The artists represented are John Gould, Alexander Wilson and John James Audubon.

John Gould's Hummingbirds

John Gould

1990

Reprint of all the plates from the complete 5 volume work by Gould originally issued between 1849 and 1861 plus the supplement to that work from the 1880s. Includes 418 full page, full colour plates by Gould and others."

The Birds of the Mount Nimba Region in Liberia

Peter R. Colston and Kai Curry-Lindahl

1989

Covers over 350 species. Includes 30 line drawings.

Estrildid Finches of the World

D. Goodwin

1982

"In this, the third in his series on the bird groups, David Goodwin describes the estrildids, a colourful group that have long been popular as aviary birds. He deals with behaviour, biology, coloration, adaptive radiation and other aspects, describing each species in detail, and also gives information on keeping the birds. The book includes maps and diagrams, as well as colour plates by Martin Woodcock."

Crows of the World

Derek Goodwin

British Museum & Cornell Univ. Press

1976

"The opening part of this book is an introduction to the family and includes sections on biology, ecology, and behaviour. This is followed by individual accounts of 116 species."

Pigeons and Doves of the World

Derek Goodwin

1967 (revised 1977 and 1983)

The introductory chapters of this work (1983 ed) discuss with nomenclature, adaptive radiation, colouration, plumage sequences, and many general aspects of behaviour such as feeding habits, voice and other sound signals, display, pair formation, nesting and parental care, and escape. This section is followed by individual species accounts. The accounts include line drawing and a distribution map. There are 6 colour plates.