Basics: 2002, hardcover, 320 pages, 14 color plates, 94 color photos, 14 species, range maps

Of the many similarly styled books on a family of birds, this one has the narrowest focus of only 1 genus with 14 species. Although this might reduce the number of interested readers, it does not mean this book lacks substance or usefulness. The opposite is true. This book might be analogous to a good movie that somehow gets overlooked at the theaters.

Each bird has a dedicated chapter ranging between 7 and 29 pages. The complex of species involving the Common Stonechat receives an overview of 38 pages by itself. Continuing after this is a dedicated chapter on each of the complex’s three species. The information provided for every bird is very thorough and detailed. Most of the text revolves around the identification and description of the bird and its various subspecies. An excellent review of the bird’s distribution is provided along with its status and movements within its range. To round out the chapter, sections on breeding, habitat, voice, food, behavior, molt, and conservation are included. A few black-and-white drawings are included to show some of the in-flight behaviors of singing or displaying.

The range maps are probably the best I’ve encountered. These species-tailored maps typically take up at least half the page, if not expanded onto two pages. The detail is excellent, such as those maps for the variety of subspecies in the African Stonechat or the Pied Bushchat.

The brilliant color illustrations display many plumages. An average of 6-17 plumages is shown for most of the species. Two of the birds have 25 and 27 paintings while the Pied Bushchat has three full plates made up of 43 different plumages. It’s unlikely you’ll encounter a plumage in the field that’s not illustrated in this book.

A good selection of color photographs displays 5-18 photos for each bird. This book probably contains one of the better collections of photos on Canary Island Stonechat and Reunion Stonechat.

As with the other books of this series, this identification reference will be most effective when used as an at-home research book.

I’ve listed a couple of related books below…
1) Thrushes by Clement
2) Robins of Africa by Oatley/Arnott ( )