BIRDING FIELD GUIDE
 

I am planning to buy a birding field guide for our Tanzanian safari but there seem to be a number to choose from. Can anyone recommend the best practical version?

"Birds of Kenya & Northern Tanzania (2nd Edition)", Helm Field Guides, 2002, ISBN 0-7136-6305-7

Mitch

I second that. The Helm is by far the best; in fact it might be the best bird guide I've ever seen, period.

Thanks for this information. Now I need to find a copy!

50something,
Don't want to challenge the Helm book as I have not seen it but would like to point out the one used by guide we had in June trip to Ruaha NP. "Field Guide to the Birds of East Africa" by Stevenson and Fanshawe, 2002, ISBN 0-85661-079-8. We got best price thru Overstock.com

Helm book may be even better given more defined region. Dick

This Stevenson/Fanshawe edition is a hardcover - don't know if you want this in the field.

However, since last year there's a paperback edition available:
"Field Guide to the Birds of East Africa", Helm Field Guides, 2004, ISBN 0-7136-7347-8

Can't say much about this.

Mitch

50something,

If you need something lightweight you could try “A Photographic Guide to Birds of East Africa” by Dave Richards ISBN:1-8687-2487-5 It’s 200 grams.

Thanks once again. I have managed to source a softcover copy of the Helm book locally (South Africa) so have ordered that.