Book: The Raptor Guide

I have quite a few field guides.  A lot actually.  Anything and everything ranging from bird and mammals to trees and frogs.  You would think that there comes an point that you don’t relaly need another one, and that is what I thought, but then this one came along.

The Raptor Guide by Ulrich Oberprieler and Burger Cillie has raised the bar for bird field guides and is an absolute must for anybody heading out into the wild places of Africa.  Yes I know there have been a lot of raptor guides in the past, and yes I have them as well, but the detail and ease of use of The Raptor Guide makes it stand out above the rest.

The book is divided into the following chapters:

1. General Biology – Includes info on bills, eyes & vision, calls and hearing, breeding behavior and conservation problems and solutions.
2. Raptor Groups – Including details on how to identify different groups of raptors.
3. Species Accounts – A detailed account of each individual species.
4. Confusing Birds – Comparisons and ways to differentiate between confusing species.
5. References – Sections on raptos groups, raptors in flight and a quick index.

The introductory section of the book covers, in amazing detail, an introduction to raptors and proceeds to look at how a raptor’s senses work.  Attention to food and hunting methods van make an incredible difference when you are viewing raptors in the field.  By differentiating between terms such as soaring, stooping, quartering and surprise attack you will be in a much better position to identify raptor purely on the way they search for and attack prey.

In the section group called Raptor Groups each group of raptors get looked at in a general but detailed way.  Common prey and behavior per group will make it easier to start narrowing things down when you do see a raptor out in the wild.  From here you can proceed to the Species Accounts where you can read up on pretty much anything you ever wanted to know about each individual species.  Each species has has been given a double spread.  On the right hand page you will find some amazing photographs of each species showing different plumages and variations that you might find such as in breeding or juvenile birds.  On the left of page you will find all the standard info you would expect in a field guide and more.  The layout makes it easy to use and very informative.

This field guide really takes that next step when you get to the References section.  One of the most difficult aspects of identifying raptors is when they are circling high up above. The Raptor Guide includes a complete comparison, per raptor group, that shows each species, including juveniles and variations which will make identification a whole lot easier.  Yes, many field guides have comparisons of raptors in flight but the difference here is that species are shown in flight as you would normally see them.  Large raptors normally get seen from underneath so you to compare them like this.  Smaller raptors such as goshawks and harriers are show differently as you normally see them darting around between trees.  So simple and a huge help when trying to identify raptors in the field.

Another great, and very helpful section, is one on Confusing Species.  Each possible confusing species, such as a Martial Eagle and a Black-Chested Snake Eagle, are looked at with various pointers that you could use out in the field.  Easy to use and extremely effective.  Follow the numbers step by step and you will know which species you have your binoculars pointed at.

If you work in a game reserve, visit lodges often or are just looking to get a great field guide to the raptors of Southern Africa you need this book.

The Raptor Guide is available at Kalahari.net and any good book store.   Click here to get your copy from Kalahari.net immediately.  By using this link you will not only be able to order the book, for less than R200, and have it delivered to your doorstep but you will also be helping me to earn a few cents for the referral.  I reckon if 100 people use the link I could perhaps buy a Coke?

On a slightly different note, I am almost finished reading No Stopping for Lions.  Still an absolutely amazing ride through Africa.  I received an email from Tracy recommending ‘The Elephant Whisperer’ by Anthony Lawrence.  Great call Tracy as I already have the book ready and waiting and I will post a review soon!

If you have have any recommendations for books or blogs that relate to wildlife, photography or anything ion between let me know!

More soon!

Gerry