Birds of paradise and beyond: the new edition of Birds of New Guinea

Explore the beauty of birdwatching in New Guinea with this updated guide. Discover native and endemic species, top birding spots, and expert tips for birdwatchers of all levels in one of the most biodiverse ecosystems on Earth.

With over 970 recorded species, more than 500 of them endemic, the New Guinea region is one of the world’s richest and most fascinating birding destinations. And yet, for years, birders exploring this vast and remote area had few truly practical resources to rely on in the field, until the publication of the first edition of Birds of New Guinea in 2017.

A fully updated guide to New Guinea’s birds

Birds of New Guinea2nd Edition - Including Bismarck Archipelago and Bouganville

Add to cart

The newly released second edition of Birds of New Guinea builds on that foundation. Compact, fully revised and designed for field use, this new edition brings together the latest taxonomic research, updated distribution maps, and modern digital features to support birders, researchers and ecotourism professionals throughout the region.

From the spectacular birds of paradise to lesser-known island endemics, this new edition covers the full sweep of avian life across the full diversity of avian species found across New Guinea, including Papua New Guinea and the Indonesian provinces of West Papua. It also includes detailed coverage of the Bismarck Archipelago, Bougainville, Raja Ampat and the Aru Islands.

Authored by long-time New Guinea bird guide and ornithologist Phil Gregory, the book draws on decades of firsthand experience across Papua New Guinea, West Papua and the wider Australasian region. Gregory has been leading birding tours in New Guinea since the 1990s and brings a deep understanding of the region’s avifauna, habitats and taxonomy to every species account.

A field guide built for real-world birding

Since its first edition in 2017, Birds of New Guinea has been widely recognised as the most complete field guide for the region. This new edition takes the work further, incorporating scientific updates, usability improvements and expanded coverage:

• 41 species have been added, each fully illustrated and mapped.
• QR codes now accompany every species, linking directly to eBird for photos, calls and videos.
• A significantly expanded index includes alternative English names to make species quicker to find.
• The text has been thoroughly revised, and many illustrations updated, showing key plumage variations by sex, age and behaviour.
• Range maps have been updated with the most current distribution data available, based on field reports and expert input.

Birds of paradise and so much more

New Guinea’s birds are unlike any others. It is the global centre of diversity for kingfishers, parrots, pigeons, honeyeaters, bowerbirds, and, of course, birds of paradise. These exotic birds, famous for their iridescent plumage and elaborate courtship displays, have long fascinated ornithologists, photographers and naturalists alike.

From the iconic Ribbon-tailed Astrapia (Astrapia mayeri) and Emperor Bird of Paradise, (Paradisaea guilielmi) to more elusive species like the Fire-maned Bowerbird (Sericulus bakeri) or the Blue-black Kingfisher (Todiramphus nigrocyaneus), this guide equips birders to identify and understand them all.

But the book’s reach goes far beyond headline species. It is an indispensable resource for identifying endemic birds of the Bismarcks, seabirds along the coasts, migratory visitors from Australia and Asia, and species whose taxonomy is still being resolved. Notes on alternative names and vocalisations, plus QR code access to bird calls and behaviour videos, make this a valuable tool for bird identification and bird photography in New Guinea.

A vital resource for conservation and research

New Guinea’s forests remain among the most intact in the tropics, yet they face growing threats. Logging, mining, oil palm plantations and climate change are rapidly reshaping habitats across the region. Accurate bird identification is critical to monitoring biodiversity and supporting bird conservation in New Guinea.

This guide contributes directly to those efforts. Species accounts include IUCN conservation status, distribution insights, and key habitat notes, whether the bird is a canopy frugivore, a highland insectivore or a cryptic forest-floor dweller. It is a trusted reference for anyone involved in field surveys, bird ecology, community science or protected area management.

This book also serves as a valuable resource for ecotourism initiatives and local guide training, supporting broader efforts to build awareness and capacity for bird conservation in Papua New Guinea and the wider region.

A flexi-cover edition designed for field conditions

Birding in New Guinea often means navigating dense forest, wet conditions and remote terrain, where reliable equipment can make all the difference. The new flexi-cover edition has been specifically developed to withstand tropical environments, offering enhanced durability for use in the field.

It features Stone Paper, a waterproof, washable and tear-resistant mineral-based material that is soft to the touch and easy to handle in the field. A protective lamination adds durability while keeping the cover flexible, ensuring the book remains resilient through repeated use in challenging conditions.

Ready for your next birding journey in New Guinea?

Comprehensive, field-ready and scientifically current, this is the most authoritative guide to the birds of New Guinea available in a single volume. Covering a region that holds one of the highest levels of avian diversity and endemism on Earth, it is an essential tool for anyone seeking to understand and explore its extraordinary birdlife.

Birds of New Guinea2nd Edition - Including Bismarck Archipelago and Bouganville

Add to cart

Birds of New Guinea (2nd Edition) is now available from Lynx Nature Books.