Bird Families of the World

“The authors deserve praise for producing a handy, informative guide where every page is a visual delight. With the plethora of single-volume, birds of the world books available today (see 2007. QRB 82:425 – 426), Bird Families of the World undoubtedly rises to the top of the pile thanks to its depth and breadth of coverage, up-to-date avian classification, clear organization, and impressive artwork. Both advanced birders and ornithology students, as well as faculty who teach ornithology-related courses, will find this a useful resource—one that is difficult to place down.””

Mark Riegner, The Quarterly Review of Biology, Volume 91, Number 3, September 2016

“Overall, this volume manages to convey a large amount of information that will be useful or of interest to a wide range of readers. Because it covers all avian families in a single volume, this book is really designed to provide an introduction to each family and is certainly not a definitive treatise on the variation in each family. However, those who find that the information stimulates their interest in a specific group can seek other sources for a more thorough treatment of a particular family.”

This is another well-designed and fact-filled guide from Lynx. I am sure James Bond would have been impressed.

Rebecca T. Kimball, Journal of Field Ornithology, Vol. 87, No. 3, pp 339-340

“The taxonomy of birds being constantly in flux, there is never the perfect time to commit an overview to print. This volume, however, is an impeccable exposition of the state of play. This volume, however, is an impeccable exposition of the state of play. /…/ The subtitle invites us to the spectacular diversity of birds. The book being so splendidly illustrated, it does indeed provide spectacle on every page and can thoroughly be recommended as an introduction to the world of birds. Some readers might be frustrated, though, by the lack of information at species level that can be found in most other books about birds. Text at family level suits a more refined palate but will appeal to the more knowledgeable world birder and provide authoritative reference for students of ornithology, phylogeny and evolution.”

John Marchant, British Trust for Ornithology (BTO), 2016

“Subtitled An Invitation to the Spectacular Diversity of Birds, this expansive tome from Lynx Edicions continues the publisher’s post-Handbook of the Birds of the World output in typically comprehensive style. It is not, however, merely a condensed collection of the illustrated essays familiar from HBW, but a new synopsis produced in association with the Cornell Lab of Ornithology./…/ Notwithstanding such occasional eyebrow-raisers, this substantial body of work brings together core information for all the world’s bird families, and is the most up-to-date overview of its subject matter to date. It also neatly complements the first volume of Lynx’s Illustrated Checklist of the Birds of the World (see Birdwatch 268: 76).””

Dominic Mitchell, Birguides, 28 May 2016

“Let’s get the headline review clear, upfront. Bird families of the world is a great book. It is informative and enjoyable, well illustrated and pleasure to dip into. /…/In that sense, Bird families of the world is not just for undergraduates and professional ornithologists. It is for anyone with an interest in birds. Each segment of the readership should take from the book what they wish. If you describe yourself as an ornithologist, this book will contextualise avian diversity. If you’re a world lister, inspire your future travels by reading up on the families that you have hitherto not encountered. And if taxonomic niceties are not for you, skip the first part of the introduction and take lucky dips into the family accounts. This glorious lyrich book deserves a place on all our bookshelves.”

James Lowen, Neotropical Birding, Nº 18, 2016

“Bird Families of the World is a significant book, and one that you will need by your side when working out how all of the new families fit together. Users of HBW (and most major checklists other than Howard and Moore) will find lots to surprise them in this book. Its style is less conversational than HBW, but it provides a lot of information in one place and deserves to be on the bookshelf of every world birder.”

Keith Betton, British Birds, 16 March 2016

“Bird Families of the World: A Guide to the Spectacular Diversity of Birds is a robust, one-volume synopsis of the diversity of all birds. /…/ Bird Families of the World has been designed to serve both as a resource for serious bird enthusiasts of all levels and a text for ornithology courses. Whether you are a birder with an interest in global bird diversity, a professional ornithologist wishing to update and fill-in your comprehensive knowledge of avian diversity, or a lister trying to see representatives of all the world’s bird families, this volume will be a valuable addition to your library.”

Frank Lambert, www.birderslibrary.com, 5 March 2016

“Those who are interested in all kinds of birds, and who in addition would like to gain insight into the world’s bird families with their more than 10,000 species, will welcome the publication of Bird Families of the World (BFW). Taking a very clear approach, with inviting illustrations and short and relevant information, the book makes it a pleasure to explore the many bird families of the world./…/ Bird Families of the World is very highly recommended both for those who desire an overview of all bird species and those who wish to study and understand the new bird systematics which is currently revolutionizing field manuals and species lists.”

Hans Christophersen og Esben Sloth Andersen, Danish Ornithological Association, North Jutland, 2 March 2016