A full-color "pocket book" — the new birdwatching "bible" — the Common Wild Birds Field Guide: Beijing Region
The newly published Common Wild Birds Field Guide: Beijing Region by the Birdwatching Group of Friends of Nature has recently made its debut. On January 19, 2014, at the Friends of Nature office, this new book was an eye-opener. It is an upgraded version of the Beijing Wild Birds Field Guide published in 2001 by the Birdwatching Group of Friends of Nature (formerly known as the “Birdwatching Team”). Twelve years later, this new edition has been revamped and features a fresh look. It introduces 315 commonly seen bird species in Beijing, with over 700 images, offering rich content and a highly visual presentation. Zhang Zhengwang, professor at Beijing Normal University and Secretary-General of the Bird Committee of the Chinese Society of Zoology, called it “a combination of scientific accuracy, aesthetic appeal, and practicality — an outstanding bird field guide.”
A closer look at the new book Common Wild Birds Field Guide: Beijing Region reveals it to be a full-color “pocket book” and birdwatching “bible,” shining with five key features that set it apart —
First, it highlights comparative features to aid field identification.
For some birds that are difficult to identify accurately, mainly various raptors, warblers, and gulls, the book provides detailed descriptions of distinguishing features, especially with highlighted photos marked with arrows, making it highly practical. Moreover, the images include birds in flight, perched, and from various angles, offering a comprehensive visual guide for particularly hard-to-identify species. When you encounter these birds in the wild, you can use the images to spot features and make comparisons for identification. For example, there are three images of the Eurasian Tree Sparrow, seven of the Great Tit, and four of the Oriental Magpie-Robin. Once you understand them in the book, you won’t be confused when trying to identify a quickly flying bird in the field — whether it’s a Great Tit, Eurasian Tree Sparrow, Siberian Accentor, or another species.
Second, it adds geographical and temporal distribution of birds to help locate them by map.
Each bird species comes with a geographical distribution map, marking common locations where the birds appear on a map of Beijing. Detailed descriptions of the birds’ habitats are provided, along with the time periods during which they can be spotted in Beijing, indicating their frequency. This is a highly practical spatiotemporal distribution map of Beijing’s birds — something most bird guides rarely achieve — made possible through a wealth of images and data. The book also includes an introduction to birdwatching spots in Beijing, highlighting 72 locations. Many of these places have been visited by countless bird enthusiasts, but there are also spots that remain a “new frontier” for others, waiting for you to explore by map and discover new surprises.
Third, it incorporates the latest taxonomic advances to help you stay at the forefront.
This book adopts the latest developments in bird classification, reflecting the most up-to-date findings and helping readers keep pace with the cutting-edge knowledge in ornithology. Following the latest taxonomic methods, some bird species have been split, with subspecies elevated to full species. For instance, the Daurian Redstart has been separated from the previously classified Naumann's Thrush (nominate subspecies). Some researchers also believe that the Siberian Stonechat, found north of Jiangsu in China, and those in southern China should be considered two separate species — with the southern ones classified as the Stejneger's Stonechat, differing mainly in calls and iris coloration. Such cutting-edge taxonomic insights are frequently featured in this book.
Fourth, it is a meticulously edited collaboration between senior experts and experienced birders, ensuring authoritative accuracy.
The Birdwatching Group of Friends of Nature organized renowned experts and seasoned birders to co-author this book. They each bring unique strengths in the field of birdwatching, forming a committee of over 20 members, with Gao Wu serving as the chief editor. Together, they worked with more than 60 photography-savvy birders who contributed over 700 high-quality images. Leveraging their professional knowledge and extensive birdwatching experience, they have carefully compiled and provided more precise descriptions of commonly seen birds in Beijing. This is a trustworthy birdwatching guide that helps eliminate doubts and misunderstandings among bird enthusiasts.
Fifth, it is a compact full-color “pocket book,” easy to carry around.
Bigger isn’t always better — this book is exquisitely practical. Measuring just 16 cm long and 12 cm wide, it fits in one hand and can go in your pocket, making it truly portable. Despite having 372 pages, it doesn’t feel heavy to hold. Compared to the thick, large-format China Birdwatching Field Guide, this is the essence — easy to carry without adding burden on your travels.
Priced at 69.80 yuan, it’s worth every penny. Ordering through the Birdwatching Group of Friends of Nature may also come with certain discounts.
This book is publicly published by the Machinery Industry Press. Bird enthusiasts can contact the Friends of Nature office or the Birdwatching Group of Friends of Nature to purchase and get an early look. When placing an order, you may send a text message or email, leaving your contact details and the quantity desired. For details, contact: Li Qiang (Phone: 13001076278, Email: nps7@qq.com)
Birdwatching Group of Friends of Nature