Handbook of the Birds of the World

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Handbook of Birds of the World vol. 1-9; the backs of the series show a flock of flying flamingos. The 2 euro coin used as comparison measures 25.75 mm (approx. 1 inch) across.
Handbook of Birds of the World vol. 1-9; the backs of the series show a flock of flying flamingos. The 2 euro coin used as comparison measures 25.75 mm (approx. 1 inch) across.


The Handbook of the Birds of the World is a multi-volume series produced by Spanish publishing house Lynx Edicions. It is the first handbook to cover every living species of bird. The series is edited by Josep del Hoyo, Andrew Elliott and Jordi Sargatal.

So far, 11 volumes have been produced. New volumes appear at roughly annual intervals, and the series is expected to be complete by approximately 2012.

Material in each volume is grouped first by family, with an introductory article on each family; this is followed by individual species accounts. In addition, all volumes except the first and second contain an essay on a particular ornithological theme.

Individual volumes are large, 32 cm by 25 cm, and weighing between 4-4.6 kg; it has been commented in a review that "fork-lift truck book" would be a better title.

A list of volumes produced to date is as follows:

[edit] Volume 1: Ostrich To Ducks

This volume was published in 1992. Unlike subsequent volumes, it does not have an introductory essay; instead, it has a 38 page overview by Eduardo de Juana of the biology of birds and a foreword welcoming the HBW project, by Christoph Imboden. Groups covered in this volume are as follows:

[edit] Volume 2: New World Vultures To Guineafowl

This volume was published in 1994. It has a foreword by Walter J. Bock on the organization of information in HBW. Groups covered in this volume are as follows:

[edit] Volume 3: Hoatzin To Auks

This volume was published in 1996. It has an introductory essay by Robert Bateman on "Art And Nature". Groups covered in this volume are as follows:

[edit] Volume 4: Sandgrouse To Cuckoos

This volume was published in 1997. It has an introductory essay on "Species Concepts and Species Limits in Ornithology" by Jürgen H. Haffer. Groups covered in this volume are as follows:

[edit] Volume 5: Barn-Owls To Hummingbirds

This volume was published in 1999. It has an introductory essay on "Risk Indicators and Status Assessment in Birds" by Nigel J. Collar. Groups covered in this volume are as follows:

[edit] Volume 6: Mousebirds To Hornbills

This volume was published in 2001. It has an introductory essay entitled "On Avian Bioacoustics" by Luis Baptista and Don Kroodsma. Groups covered in this volume are as follows:

[edit] Volume 7: Jacamars To Woodpeckers

This volume was published in 2002. It has an introductory essay on "Extinct Birds" by Errol Fuller. Groups covered in this volume are as follows:

[edit] Volume 8: Broadbills To Tapaculos

This volume was published in 2003. It has an introductory essay on "The History Of Bird Classification" by Murray Bruce. Groups covered in this volume are as follows:

[edit] Volume 9: Cotingas To Pipits And Wagtails

This volume was published in 2004. It has an introductory essay on "Ornithological Nomenclature" by Richard Banks. Groups covered in this volume are as follows:

[edit] Volume 10: Cuckoo-Shrikes To Thrushes

This volume was published in 2005. It has an introductory essay on "The Ecology And Impact Of Non-Indigenous Birds" by Daniel Sol, Tim Blackburn, Phillip Cassey, Richard Duncan and Jordi Clavell. Groups covered in this volume are as follows:

[edit] Volume 11: Old World Flycatchers to Old World Warblers

Published in September 2006. It has an introductory essay on "The ecological significance of bird populations" by Cagan Sekercioglu with a Preface by Paul R. Ehrlich. Groups covered in this volume are as follows:

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