I saw it for the first time during my flight Mfuwe-Lusaka last week - a passenger (apparently a guide) was reading in it. I'm a big fan of the Beat about the Bush book series and recognised it immediately. Wow - finally out. At OR Tambo Intl I went straight to the book shop and bought my copy. So far I only had a quick look at the 764 pages and read the first few chapters - but I already can say:

If you're interested in African birds - buy this book!


Beat about the Bush - Birds, by Trevor Carnaby

Jacana Media (SA), October 2008, ISBN 978-1-77009-241-9



From the publisher: "The Beat about the Bush series answers all those everyday questions that are prompted by visits to the bush. It fills the gap in exisiting literature and field guides alike, complemented by more than 900 full-colour photographs. Although details are given on bird identification and all. the bird groups of southern Africa are covered in a very informative 'Did you know' section, this work can more appropriately be described as a behavioural guide. It delves into the fascinating lives of birds - discussing in detail their myriad forms, survival strategies, breeding and feeding behaviours, movements, migrations and vocalisations. The result is a comprehensive reference work in a style that appeals to novices, birders, twitchers, tourists, bush enthusiast and field guides alike."



Buy it at NHBS (UK, expensive!) or at Netbooks (SA).

sniktawk, this book is not a field guide.

It's like Sasol Birds - The Inside Story (by Rael & Hélène Loon) but much more comprehensive.

Don't you know the Beat about the Bush series?! Then you should also buy Beat about the Bush - Mammals!!!

Nice to hear that this book is as good as advertised. I am in the process of being trained to be FGASA certified to become a field guide, and this entire series has been put on my 'recommended reading' lists. When I saw the prices on them, I had to pause and reconsider. But birds are far from my area of expertise- I'm a predators guy (who isn't?), so I can use all the great books on the topic I can get.

Good luck in your training, Waoza.

There're also predators among birds.

Ah, you know what I meant. I do have to say though, living in the northeaster US, I've always been fascinated by the variety of owls we have here. I'm always very impressed with how efficient birds of prey seem to be in their hunting, as opposed to almost any other predators.


And thank you Atravelynn. I'll be sure to report back here as I get further along in the process. I expect to be finished training and certified by the end of 2009. Got my fingers crossed.