With over 300 bird species in Britain alone, we are spoilt with the amount of wildlife that is right on our doorstep.
If you want to learn more about the birds in your area, picking up one of the best British bird identification books is a great way to do so.
Being able to identify the birds visiting your garden will help you know what bird food to put out, where to put it and if they need anything extra depending on the time of year.
Many of the best bird identification guides come with large colourful images to make it as easy as possible to recognise birds, along with additional information of how many of the species there are in Britain and what geographical regions they are typically spotted in.
Here is a range of the best British bird identification books on offer including pocket guides, and books dedicated to rare British birds.
For even more birdwatching gear, take a look at the best binoculars for birdwatching, or invest in a bird box camera for a close-up view of the action.
The best British bird identification books to buy in 2024
Britain’s Birds (Second Edition)
By Robert Hume et al.
The RSPB describe this identification guide as the only book to cover every bird, in every plumage, ever recorded in Britain and Ireland. It features more than 3,200 photographs, gives comparisons on similar and difficult species to identify and has species accounts that detail the bird's status, number in Britain and where they are usually spotted.
Suitable for both beginners and advanced bird watchers, this guide is bound to become a well-used book in your household. If you're looking for something more portable, there is also a pocket guide.
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Collins Bird Guide — The Most Complete Guide to the Birds of Britain and Europe
By Lars Svensson et al.
The second edition of the 1999 Collins Bird Guide has been expanded with more information and additional colour illustrations. The book provides a variety of information on each bird including size, habitat, range, identification and birdsong.
This thorough guide includes the main issues that tend to occur when you’re trying to identify and observe certain bird groups. The identification book also covers how to separate birds of prey in flight, so there are plenty of handy tips and tricks to help enhance your knowledge and experience.
Collins BTO Guide to British Birds
By Paul Sterry and Paul Stancliffe
A collaboration between Collins and the British Trust for Ornithology, the Collins BTO Guide to British Birds should tell you everything you need to know about common birds in Britain. Its creators say the book has been produced with beginners in mind making it a great option for those just dipping their toes into wildlife watching.
Check out the best bird food, and keep your garden visitors well fed!
Collins BTO Guide to Rare British Birds
By Paul Sterry and Paul Stancliffe
Check availability at Amazon
Another collaboration between Collins and the British Trust for Ornithology but this time it is dedicated to the rare birds of Britain and Ireland. Species descriptions make up a vast amount of the book, which contain photographs and outline key features such as vocalisations to help you identify them. It works particularly well as companion book to the first Collins BTO guide.
The Crossley ID Guide: Britain & Ireland
By Richard Crossley and Dominic Couzens
Aimed at beginners and immediate birders, this book looks at all regularly occurring bird species in Britain and Ireland. The field guide helps readers identify birds in their natural habitats using size, structure, shape, probability and behaviour, along with detailing a range of plumages.
RSPB Pocket Guide to British Birds (Second Edition)
By Simon Harrap
Containing almost 950 illustrations and 215 colour distribution maps, this compact field guide offers a lot for its size. Measuring 116 x 169mm, the RSPB Pocket Guide to British Birds features one or two birds per page with each accompanied by a concise description that includes calls and song, habitat, distribution and status, behaviour and easily confused species.
RSPB Guide to Birdsong
By Adrian Thomas
Identifying a bird by its song can be difficult, but this RSPB guide takes you through how to learn to recognise different bird sounds. Written by Adrian Thomas, the book is accompanied by a CD of over 100 songs and calls of 65 garden, woodland and farmland birds.
Why not treat friends and family to some gifts for bird lovers?
Birds: ID Insights — Identifying the More Difficult Birds of Britain
By Dominic Couzens and Dave Nurney
Birds: ID Insights is designed for birders of all levels with special attention placed on how to gauge the age of birds. In total, the book covers more than 230 species but the authors dedicate most of their time to identify the more difficult species such as Subalpine Warbler, Short-toed Lark, and Red-rumped Swallow.
RSPB Handbook of Scottish Birds (Second Edition)
By Peter Holden and Stuart Housden
For those fond of the Scottish countryside, this RSPB Handbook depicts over 250 species. Each account includes information on identification, voice, habits, habitat, food, breeding, ecology, seasonal movements, population and conservation. There are over 1,000 colour illustrations and distribution maps, too.
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