Collins Field Guide Birds of New Zealand, Hawaii, Central and West Pacific

This new field guide possibly breaks the ‘record’ for the largest area of the Earth covered in a complete bird guide! Covering the vastnesses of the southern Pacific Ocean and its almost un-numbered small islands and coral atolls, the guide is, perhaps, surprisingly small – designed to be the one taken out in the field and as a one-stop-shop. The first section gives useful and helpful information on the geography of the area, and which endemics will be found on which island group. The main part of the guide is, of course, taken up with the plates. One either loves or hates van Perlo’s illustration style; the birds are presented in a loose sketchy way which, at best, gives an excellent impression of the appearance and ‘jizz’ of the bird as it appears in the field but, at worst, (not often) seem to miss the mark somewhat. If you are simply visiting New Zealand there are other guides out there, but if you are travelling more widely in the southern Pacific, then this book is for you.

Book reviewed by Su Gough