The combination of superb and thoughtfully arranged illustrations, definitive text, and up-to-date illustration maps, all in a single volume, has already established the pocket-sized version of this guide, also published by Princeton University Press, as the most essential reference to European bird identification. This sumptuous large-format edition with entirely redesigned text is intended to complement the field guide and permit greater appreciation of the extraordinarily beautiful artwork. The Complete Guide to the Birds of Europeprovides the information needed to identify all European bird species in their normal seasonal and age-related plumage variations. Over 3,500 of the most accurate and attractive illustrations ever painted are accompanied by innovative pointers and captions drawing immediate attention to the key field marks. Particular attention has been paid to the design and arrangement of every page in order to facilitate easy comparison of confusing plumages. Vignettes illustrate typical habitat and characteristic behavior. On each page opposite the illustrations, brilliantly conceived texts detail habitat preferences, status in Europe, important identification features and, of course, voice. No other guide provides as authoritative and comprehensive descriptions of the songs and calls of the continent's birds asThe Complete Guide to the Birds of Europe.

Killian Mullarney and Dan Zetterstrom are two of Europe's leading bird artists and identification experts. Living in Ireland and Sweden, respectively, they have traveled extensively for the past twenty-five years, and between them they have acquired field experience of virtually every species dealt with in the book. Mullarney's drawings and paintings have appeared in several leading birding journals, such as British Birds, Dutch Birding, and Birding World. Zetterstrom has illustrated numerous scientific papers, and his paintings in the Country Life Guide to Birds and the Handbook of Bird Identification have drawn particular acclaim Lars Svensson has been regarded as one of Europe's foremost field ornithologists for over thirty years. He is best known as the author of the widely praised Identification Guide to European Passerines. His many other achievements include co-authorship of a number of acclaimed field guides and publication of important sound recordings of birds Peter J. Grant was one of the best-known and most respected identification experts in Europe until his untimely death in 1990. His influence over a whole generation of birders is incalculable. He was the author of the celebrated Gulls: An Identification Guide and numerous important articles on bird identification David A. Christie, an active birdwatcher for many years, is well known for his accurate translations of important ornithological works. He has been Assistant Editor of British Birds since 1973