Parrots of the World (Helm Identification Guides)

Some of the world’s parrots are familiar as cage birds, but this book shows just what an amazingly diverse family of birds the parrots are. From the massive macaws and black cockatoos, to the diminutive pygmy parrots (the smallest of which, the Buff-faced Pygmy Parrot, is smaller than a Goldcrest) the range of body plans, colour and life histories is bewildering.
Occurring mostly in the southern hemisphere, this book is divided into the regional parrot avifaunas, making its use as a field guide even greater. Similar and closely related species are illustrated together and different colour forms and notable subspecies and variants are all shown.
Maps are presented opposite the plates, although for many of the island species, these can be a little difficult to use. The illustrations are of high quality, and the book is designed to be used as a field guide, although I suspect that, as it covers the entire family, it may well find its place on bookshelves more as a reference book.

Book reviewed by Su Gough