CSIRO releases new Australian Bird Guide

[Bensch]

Hi everyone,

While on Facebook last night, I stumbled across a new video released by CSIRO Publishing. (https://www.facebook.com/CSIROPUBLISHING/videos/10155233634692888/)

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 (http://www.publish.csiro.au/book/6520/)


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 :th3:

[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 :th3:



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 (https://www.bookdepository.com/Australian-Bird-Guide-Peter-Menkhorst-Danny-Rogers-Rohan-Clarke/9781472912350?ref=grid-view&qid=1492303632060&sr=1-1), 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 :th3:
Ok, I don't mind being the Guinea Pig :grinning01:...ordered!, will let ya's know next month sometime - :nod:

[Bensch]

Ok, I don't mind being the Guinea Pig :grinning01:...ordered!, will let ya's know next month sometime - :nod:

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

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

[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 :th3:

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

The race is on to see which one arrives first :th3:

[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 :th3:

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 :th3:

[Bensch]

Just received shipping notification from Book Depository, should hopefully be here soon :th3:

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 :th3:

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 :th3:

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 :th3:

[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 - :nod:

[I @ M]

Just received shipping notification from Book Depository, should hopefully be here soon :th3:

Nothing less than a comprehensive review on here then coming shortly ------ :umm::crossed::)

[Bensch]

It's arrived!!! :th3::th3::th3::th3:

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

Will post some photos of the contents shortly :th3:

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 :th3:

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.

https://c1.staticflickr.com/3/2854/34340950546_4152f54953_c.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/UjAmbf)IMG20170501224204 (https://flic.kr/p/UjAmbf) by andrewbensch (https://www.flickr.com/photos/30190087@N03/), 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.

https://c1.staticflickr.com/3/2884/34340839806_92be41ebe5_c.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/UjzMfW)IMG20170501222130 (https://flic.kr/p/UjzMfW) by andrewbensch (https://www.flickr.com/photos/30190087@N03/), on Flickr

https://c1.staticflickr.com/3/2856/34223641172_38af6653dc_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/U9e7bQ)IMG20170501223212 (https://flic.kr/p/U9e7bQ) by andrewbensch (https://www.flickr.com/photos/30190087@N03/), 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.

https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4187/33997383310_515aff3c56_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/TNetBd)IMG20170501223202 (https://flic.kr/p/TNetBd) by andrewbensch (https://www.flickr.com/photos/30190087@N03/), 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 :th3:

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

https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4155/34340838496_e5ca337183_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/UjzLSm)IMG20170501223041 (https://flic.kr/p/UjzLSm) by andrewbensch (https://www.flickr.com/photos/30190087@N03/), on Flickr

https://c1.staticflickr.com/3/2816/33997385390_e4003dfa4f_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/TNeue5)IMG20170501223103 (https://flic.kr/p/TNeue5) by andrewbensch (https://www.flickr.com/photos/30190087@N03/), on Flickr

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

https://c1.staticflickr.com/3/2867/33997387120_7baaed785b_c.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/TNeuJU)IMG20170501222520 (https://flic.kr/p/TNeuJU) by andrewbensch (https://www.flickr.com/photos/30190087@N03/), on Flickr

Most pages have little tidbits about the specific species

https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4173/33540192764_869967836e_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/T6QfMA)IMG20170501223143 (https://flic.kr/p/T6QfMA) by andrewbensch (https://www.flickr.com/photos/30190087@N03/), 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 :th3:

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/news/taxonomy-update-for-2015-australia/

[Bensch]

You need to update the names in your older guides. ;)

http://ebird.org/content/australia/news/taxonomy-update-for-2015-australia/

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

Thanks for the link :th3:

[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.

[Gazza]

........will let ya's know next month sometime - :nod:
First thoughts...nicely illustrated, informative and more important for me, easy to use...very impressed - :nod:

[Mark L]

You need to update the names in your older guides. ;)

http://ebird.org/content/australia/news/taxonomy-update-for-2015-australia/

So is it Australian or Nankeen Ketrel?
Australian Kite or Black-shouldered Kite??

[Mary Anne]

So is it Australian or Nankeen Ketrel?
Australian Kite or Black-shouldered Kite??

Never heard of a Ketrel Australian or Nankeen.

[Mark L]

Never heard of a Ketrel Australian or Nankeen.
That's right. But surely you can imagine a missed letter.:)

[Bensch]

Has anyone that has ordered from CSIRO received their book, or shipping notification yet?

CC was charged a couple of days ago, but no shipping notification or book yet :(

[Floribunda]

Speaking of CSIRO books - does anyone have this? I wondered if it was worth adding to my library as we travel around a bit?
http://www.publish.csiro.au/book/6518/

[Bensch]

Speaking of CSIRO books - does anyone have this? I wondered if it was worth adding to my library as we travel around a bit?
http://www.publish.csiro.au/book/6518/

I don't have it, but certainly looks like a good book :th3:

I've recently started to use the eBird website (http://ebird.org/content/australia/) to scout out possible locations.

[Hawthy]

Happy for you guys that you have received copies from the Book Depository. Still waiting for the CSIRO ordered copy to arrive. No information on whether they have posted the book or not. Another striking, yet disappointing, display of the difference between the public service and private enterprise.

Oh well, I suppose that I might get my copy once the public servants get out of their "diversity and inclusion" meetings and figure out how to whack a stamp on a parcel and post it.

[Glenda]

Happy for you guys that you have received copies from the Book Depository. Still waiting for the CSIRO ordered copy to arrive. No information on whether they have posted the book or not. Another striking, yet disappointing, display of the difference between the public service and private enterprise.

Oh well, I suppose that I might get my copy once the public servants get out of their "diversity and inclusion" meetings and figure out how to whack a stamp on a parcel and post it.
That's pretty poor isn't it. Reminds me of when I renewed my licence with Qld Transport and ordered a lens from EGlobal on the same day. Now it was mid December when post usually slows a bit but guess which arrived first. Yep the lens.

[Floribunda]

My "The Australian Bird Guide" from the Book Depository arrived today. 8 days from the UK. Looks terrific.
Along with a $100 wine voucher - probably a catch involved, but will check it out.

[Allie]

I have all the books shown below (and more) plus 3 on my phone. I use Morcombe's most on my phone (it has lots of great features) & I bought it before Pizzey & Knight's app was available. I like Pizzey & Knight's book better if I had to choose only one book even though it is bigger to transport. But I will probably get this one as well (also from Book Depository - their delivery turn around is amazing and even if it is sometimes from local stock it still delivers earlier than promised by local suppliers. All guides have their good and less good features but all are good value - I like the photo guides better than the illustrations but the new guide's illustrations are amazing!

Field Guide to the Birds of Australia by Simpson & Day
The Field Guide to the Birds of Australia by Pizzey & Knight
The Slater Field Guide to Australian Birds by Peter, Pat & Raoul Slater
Field Guide to Australian Birds by Michael Morcombe
Australian Birds (A concise photographic field guide) by Donald and Molly Trounson
Photographic Field Guide to Birds of Australia by Flegg
What Bird Is That? by Neville Cayley.

[Bensch]

Happy for you guys that you have received copies from the Book Depository. Still waiting for the CSIRO ordered copy to arrive. No information on whether they have posted the book or not. Another striking, yet disappointing, display of the difference between the public service and private enterprise.

Oh well, I suppose that I might get my copy once the public servants get out of their "diversity and inclusion" meetings and figure out how to whack a stamp on a parcel and post it.


That's pretty poor isn't it. Reminds me of when I renewed my licence with Qld Transport and ordered a lens from EGlobal on the same day. Now it was mid December when post usually slows a bit but guess which arrived first. Yep the lens.

Copy from the CSIRO arrived this morning, little disappointed that there wasn't any shipping notification, or even tracking, considering that postage was extra.

Based on the experience, will be the last time ordering from CSIRO, will stick to Book Depository for future orders :th3:

Hope that everyone waiting for their copy receives it soon :th3:

[Mark L]

Copy from the CSIRO arrived this morning, little disappointed that there wasn't any shipping notification, or even tracking, considering that postage was extra.

Based on the experience, will be the last time ordering from CSIRO, will stick to Book Depository for future orders :th3:


Was it shipped via Australia Post? If so it's not CSIRO's problem.
I've found Australia Post's tracking less than adequate ATM. (I'm following a lens sent to an AP member an the tracking is frustrating me big time.)

[Bensch]

Was it shipped via Australia Post? If so it's not CSIRO's problem.
I've found Australia Post's tracking less than adequate ATM. (I'm following a lens sent to an AP member an the tracking is frustrating me big time.)

Hi Mark,
Yep was sent via Aus Post, but had a sticker on the parcel stating that it was untracked.
Would have been nice for CSIRO to send notification that it had been dispatched from their warehouse, but still, main thing is that it arrived :th3:

[Floribunda]

I went ahead and purchased "Finding Australian Birds" A Field Guide to Birding Locations. Not from The Book Depository this time,most unusually their price was expensive, but from Booktopia. They were easy to deal with and offered a good price.
The book was delivered by Aussie Post - with reservations from me having had several unhappy experiences, but this time all was good. Within a week the book arrived with excellent tracking notification along the way.