CSIRO releases new Australian Bird Guide

[Bensch]

Hi everyone,

While on Facebook last night, I stumbled across a new video released by CSIRO Publishing.

It appears that they're releasing a new Australian Bird Guide, stated to be "The most comprehensive, detailed field guide of Australian birds ever published"

It comes out on the 1st of May, and can be found here


Disclaimer - I'm not affiliated with the CSIRO or the author/publisher of this book, I am interested (obsessed) with Birding, and thought similar people here might find it interesting

[Hamster]

Nah, there's no one on here into birding ;-)

[Bensch]

Thought that I'd include this quote from another thread that I posted....as saving money is always a good thing

If you want to save a few $$ and don't mind waiting a little longer, you can order it from Book Depository for around $37 including free shipping, where as from CSIRO is $58.95 including shipping.

Again, not affiliated with Book Depository, CSIRO, authors, publisher, etc.....

[Gazza]

Thought that I'd include this quote from another thread that I posted....as saving money is always a good thing

Ok, I don't mind being the Guinea Pig ...ordered!, will let ya's know next month sometime -

[Bensch]

Ok, I don't mind being the Guinea Pig ...ordered!, will let ya's know next month sometime -

I can't let you do it by yourself Gazza, I've also ordered a copy from Book Depository too

With the way the post is around here, it will probably arrive at the same time as the one I've ordered from CSIRO

[Bensch]

Just got an email from BD, book is on the way from CSIRO to BD, will ship once arrived.

No word yet on copy from CSIRO....

[Glenda]

Will probably arrive before the one from the CSIRO. Crazy that they had to also get it from the CSIRO and how much cheaper the price is.

[Bensch]

Will probably arrive before the one from the CSIRO. Crazy that they had to also get it from the CSIRO and how much cheaper the price is.

Thanks Glenda

It is amazing that they can offer it at $20 cheaper and include postage.

The race is on to see which one arrives first

[Hawthy]

Thanks for bringing this to my attention, Bensch. I have ordered one and I am not even a mad birder. I like birds but don't want to spend the money on a long fast lens. It looks like a beautiful book. Unfortunately I didn't scroll down and so I paid full rate at the CSIRO.

[Bensch]

Thanks for bringing this to my attention, Bensch. I have ordered one and I am not even a mad birder. I like birds but don't want to spend the money on a long fast lens. It looks like a beautiful book. Unfortunately I didn't scroll down and so I paid full rate at the CSIRO.

You're more than welcome

Sorry about paying full price, I couldn't edit my original post due to time elapsed, but still a good book even at full price

[Bensch]

Just received shipping notification from Book Depository, should hopefully be here soon

Nothing yet from CSIRO, but then release date isn't until 1st of May.

[Brian500au]

i have ordered mine from BD - can't wait for it to arrive.

[Mary Anne]

You're more than welcome

Sorry about paying full price, I couldn't edit my original post due to time elapsed, but still a good book even at full price

Andy if you had pressed that little Triangle ▲ *Report Post* down the bottom on the left of your post told us what you wanted done then one of us Moderators would have fixed it for you..

Good to know for next time..

[Bensch]

Andy if you had pressed that little Triangle ▲ *Report Post* down the bottom on the left of your post told us what you wanted done then one of us Moderators would have fixed it for you..

Good to know for next time..

Thanks Mary Anne, will keep that in mind

[Gazza]

Just got home after a few days away and my copy was sitting in the letter box, I assume since Friday? Will have a good look at it in the morning -

[I @ M]

Just received shipping notification from Book Depository, should hopefully be here soon

Nothing less than a comprehensive review on here then coming shortly ------

[Bensch]

It's arrived!!!

Copy from Book Depository arrived this afternoon while I was at work!

Will post some photos of the contents shortly

Still no word about the copy from CSIRO.....

- - - Updated - - -

So happy that my first copy of the CSIRO Australian Bird Guide arrived in the post today

Apologies for the poor quality photos, taken on my camera phone and was in a hurry to get it posted

Certainly looks like a comprehensive field guide. Size wise, it is a little larger than my copy of the Simpson & Day Field Guide, but not too much.

It also weighs 1450g compared to the Simpson & Day which is 863g.

IMG20170501224204 by andrewbensch, on Flickr

First page you see when you open it up is a quick reference guide, which allows you to go to the approximate page based on the visual characteristics of the bird.

IMG20170501222130 by andrewbensch, on Flickr

IMG20170501223212 by andrewbensch, on Flickr

Also, notice that there is a colour code separating the type of bird (marine/coastal, freshwater and land), this is reflected on the side of the book as well, so you can quickly flip to the correct section.

IMG20170501223202 by andrewbensch, on Flickr

There are then sections on identifying birds, using the included maps, a guide to birding, etc. A wealth of information to begin with

The pages are quite detailed, giving information about the bird, its characteristics, the habitat, and also variations.

IMG20170501223041 by andrewbensch, on Flickr

IMG20170501223103 by andrewbensch, on Flickr

Where there are different variations/morphs it shows you their location relative to the others.

IMG20170501222520 by andrewbensch, on Flickr

Most pages have little tidbits about the specific species

IMG20170501223143 by andrewbensch, on Flickr


Like any guide, there are differences between them all.

One I found was that in all my field guides refers to a Purple Swamphen, the CSIRO one refers to it as an Australasian Swamphen.

Just a minor difference, but something that stopped me finding this bird by name quickly.

Overall, a great book, that is choc full of useful information and well deserving of a place in any birders collection

I'd give it 9/10, only losing a point because of the name difference with the first bird I searched for.


Once again, not affiliated with any of the publishers, authors, book stores, etc.......

[blkmcs]

You need to update the names in your older guides.

http://ebird.org/content/australia/n...015-australia/

[Bensch]

You need to update the names in your older guides.

http://ebird.org/content/australia/n...015-australia/

True, seems I'm behind the 8-ball, but then that's nothing new

Thanks for the link

[Floribunda]

Sounds and looks good. I prefer photographs to illustrations, but these look good.
I am in. I love my Simpson and Day but guess an upgrade will be good.