Birds of Spain2nd Edition

Birds of Spain, 2nd Edition – The Definitive Field Guide to Spanish Avifauna

Birds of Spain, 2nd Edition is the definitive English-language field guide to the birds of Spanish territory, based on the fully revised and expanded fourth edition of Aves de España—Spain’s most widely used bird guide. Recommended by SEO/BirdLife, this edition offers the most current information on the 599 bird species recorded in Peninsular Spain, the Balearic and Canary Islands, and Ceuta and Melilla.

With a practical format and modernized content, this guide is ideal for birders of all levels. It includes over 1,000 illustrations, more than 300 updated distribution maps, and QR codes that link to SEO/BirdLife’s online guide, giving access to bird calls, videos, and photos. Whether used in the field or at home, it’s an essential resource for identifying species and understanding the status of Spain’s birds.

This edition reflects recent ornithological advances, including taxonomic updates from the SEO/BirdLife Taxonomic Working Group and revised conservation statuses aligned with the IUCN Red List (2024). The species are arranged in a new, more intuitive sequence that groups birds by habitat and morphology to improve usability in the field. Aquatic birds, for instance, are now grouped together by habitat type, while diurnal raptors, herons, and waders have been regrouped to better support quick field comparisons. A double-page spread at the end of the book allows for comparison between the previous and current taxonomic sequences.

The guide includes all regularly occurring birds, as well as 191 occasional or accidental species, and five extinct species. The rarities section offers insights into 217 less frequently seen birds, with updated records on their status and distribution.

Key Features

• Species Coverage: Includes detailed entries for 599 bird species found in Spanish territories, with 191 classified as occasional or accidental, and 5 marked as extinct.
• High-Quality Illustrations: Over 1,000 colour illustrations, including 129 brand-new images, depicting males, females, immatures, flight, and seasonal plumages.
• Updated Distribution Maps: More than 300 colour maps showing breeding and seasonal presence, reflecting the most recent data.
• New Taxonomic Sequence: Species are reorganized for better usability in the field, based on SEO/BirdLife taxonomy.
• Integrated Digital Content: QR codes link to SEO/BirdLife’s official online guide, providing bird calls, photographs, videos, and additional information.
• Conservation and Status Data: All species’ conservation statuses have been revised in line with the 2024 IUCN Red List.
• Rarities Section: A dedicated section includes 217 rare or accidental species, with notes on their status and distribution in Spain.
• Appendix for Extinct Species: Includes detailed treatment of five extinct birds recorded historically in Spain.
• Compact and Durable Format: Ideal for field use, fits easily in a jacket pocket, and is built to withstand rough outdoor handling.
• Rich Bibliography: References recent national and regional ornithological publications and bird reports for further research.

Whether you’re planning a birding trip, conducting research, or simply exploring Spain’s rich avifauna, Birds of Spain, 2nd Edition combines practicality with scientific accuracy, making it the most complete guide to Spanish birds available today.

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