Helm Identification Guides: The Definitive Birding Reference Series
For birdwatchers and ornithologists, the Helm Identification Guides represent some of the most comprehensive resources available for species identification. This extensive series of books is designed to help enthusiasts and professionals distinguish between various groups of birds, offering a blend of scientific rigor and practical utility.
The series is structured around two primary methodologies of organization: taxonomic and geographic. A taxonomic guide focuses on a specific family of birds on a global scale, whereas a geographic guide covers all bird species found within a specific region, such as The Birds of the West Indies.
While most early volumes were taxonomic and worldwide in scope, some later additions shifted toward regional identification. For example, The Gulls Guide focuses specifically on species found in Europe, Asia, and North America.
ไม่มีภาพประกอบ
Key Facts
- Dual Approach: Guides are categorized as either taxonomic (family-based) or geographic (region-based).
- Publishing History: Originally published under Croom Helm or Christopher Helm; later integrated with Pica Press and A & C Black (now part of Bloomsbury Publishing Plc).
- Award-Winning: Several titles in the series have received the British Birds Bird Book of the Year award.
- Evolution: The series has evolved from early 1980s publications to modern, completely revised editions, such as the recent Seabirds guide by Lynx Edicions.
Publishing Evolution and Imprints
The history of the Helm Identification Guides is marked by several shifts in publishing houses. Early volumes appeared under the Croom Helm or Christopher Helm imprints. During the 1990s, a parallel set of guides with a similar design was released by Pica Press.
Eventually, Pica Press was absorbed into A & C Black, which is now a part of Bloomsbury Publishing Plc. Today, these various imprints are marketed as a single, unified series. Additionally, some specialized updates have been handled by other publishers, such as the revised version of Seabirds published by Lynx Edicions.
Comprehensive List of Taxonomic Guides
The majority of the series focuses on taxonomic identification. Below is a chronological overview of these works, including those with regional limitations (marked as non-worldwide).
1980s Publications
- Seabirds (1983) - Peter Harrison
- Shorebirds (1986) - John Marchant, A. J. Prater, and Peter Hayman
- The Tanagers (1987) - Morton L. Isler and Phyllis R. Isler
- Wildfowl (1988) - Steve Madge and Hilary Burn
- A Handbook to the Swallows and Martins of the World (1989) - Angela Turner
1990–1999 Publications
This era saw a significant expansion in the variety of bird families covered, including the introduction of Pica Press titles.
- Kingfishers, Bee-eaters and Rollers (1992) - C. Hilary Fry and Kathie Fry
- Finches and Sparrows (1993) - Peter Clement
- Crows and Jays (1994) - Steve Madge
- New World Warblers (1994) - Jon Curson
- Woodpeckers (1995) - Hans Winkler
- Buntings and Sparrows (1995) - Urban Olsson and Jon Curson
- Terns of Europe and North America (1995) - Klaus Malling Olsen (Regional)
- Swifts (1995) - Phil Chantler
- Tits, Nuthatches & Treecreepers (1996) - Simon Harrap
- Munias and Mannikins (1996) - Robin L. Restall
- Pittas, Broadbills and Asities (1996) - Frank Lambert
- Warblers of Europe, Asia and North Africa (1997) - Kevin Baker (Regional)
- Skuas and Jaegers (1997) - Klaus Malling Olsen
- Shrikes (1997) - Norbert Lefranc
- Nightjars (1998) - Nigel Cleere
- Parrots (1998) - Tony Juniper and Mike Parr
- Rails (1998) - Barry Taylor
- Starlings and Mynas (1998) - Chris Feare and Adrian Craig
- Owls (1999) - Claus König, Friedhelm Weick, and Jan-Hendrik Becking
- New World Blackbirds (1999) - Alvaro Jaramillo and Peter Burke
- Tanagers (1999) - Morton L. Isler and Phyllis R. Isler (Revision)
2000–2019 Publications
The series continued to refine its focus, adding specialized guides for specific genera and regional raptors.
- Thrushes (2000) - Peter Clement
- Shrikes and Bush-shrikes (2000) - Tony Harris
- Raptors of the World (2001) - James Ferguson-Lees and David Christie
- Pigeons and Doves (2001) - David Gibbs
- Sylvia Warblers (2001) - Hadoram Shirihai, Gabriel Gargallo, and Andreas J. Helbig
- Sunbirds (2001) - Robert A. Cheke and Clive F. Mann
- Wrens, Dippers and Thrashers (2001) - David Brewer
- Stonechats (2002) - Ewan Urquhart
- Pheasants, Partridges and Grouse (2002) - Steve Madge and Phil MacGowan
- Pipits and Wagtails of Europe, Asia and North America (2003) - Per Alstrom and Krister Mild (Regional)
- Gulls of Europe, Asia and North America (2003) - Klaus Malling Olsen (Regional)
- Owls of the World (2008) - Claus König and Friedhelm Weick
- Reed and Bush Warblers (2010) - Peter Kennerley and David Pearson
- Cotingas and Manakins (2011) - Graeme Green and Guy Kirwan
- Cuckoos of the World (2012) - Johannes Erritzøe et al.
- Robins and Chats (2015) - Peter Clement and Chris Rose
- Wildfowl of Europe, Asia and North America (2015) - Sébastien Reeber (Regional)
- Flight Identification of Raptors of Europe, North Africa and the Middle East (2016) - Dick Forsman (Regional)
- Antpittas and Gnateaters (2018) - Harold F. Greeney and David Beadle
- African Raptors (2018) - William S. Clark and Rob Davies (Regional)
Recent Works (2020–Present)
- Birds of Paradise and Bowerbirds (2020) - Phil Gregory and Richard Allen
- Seabirds: The New Identification Guide (2021) - Peter Harrison, Martin Perrow, and Hans Larsson (Lynx Edicions)
- Shrikes of the World (2022) - Norbert Lefranc
Series Summary
| Guide Type | Scope | Example Title |
|---|---|---|
| Taxonomic (Worldwide) | Specific bird family globally | Parrots - A Guide to the Parrots of the World |
| Taxonomic (Regional) | Specific bird family in certain areas | Gulls of Europe, Asia and North America |
| Geographic | All species within a specific region | The Birds of the West Indies |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between taxonomic and geographic guides?
Taxonomic guides focus on a specific family of birds (like owls or parrots) across the world or a large region. Geographic guides cover every bird species found within a specific geographical area, regardless of their family.
Who currently publishes the Helm Identification Guides?
The guides have been published under several imprints including Croom Helm, Christopher Helm, and Pica Press. Pica Press was later absorbed by A & C Black, which is now part of Bloomsbury Publishing Plc.
Are all taxonomic guides in the series worldwide in scope?
No. While many are worldwide, some are regional. For example, the guides for Terns, Warblers, Pipits, Wagtails, and Gulls focus on specific regions like Europe, Asia, and North America.
Have the Helm Identification Guides won any awards?
Yes, several books within the series have been honored with the British Birds Bird Book of the Year award.
Is there a new version of the Seabirds guide?
Yes, a completely revised version titled Seabirds: The New Identification Guide was published in 2021 by Lynx Edicions.