Birds of the West Indies 2nd ed (1 Viewer)

Andy Adcock

Worst person on Birdforum

• Mar 18, 2020

• #1

Would there be much point in buying this, are there sufficient changes to justify it?

https://www.nhbs.com/birds-of-the-west-indies-helm-field-guide-book

 

njlarsen

Gallery Moderator

Opus Editor

Supporter

• Mar 18, 2020

• #2

It seems the number species listed is the same as in first edition. However, I would wait until further information is forthcoming before doing anything. One improvement I would like would be to have a better order: in the first edition softcover field guide on my shelf, Eared and White-winged doves are on one page, a bunch of quail doves on the next, and then Zenaida and Mourning doves on the third. (the original big hardcover version had a more logical order).

Niels

 

CaliSteve

Living life in Paradise!

• Jun 11, 2020

• #3

This book is out now. Just got my copy but much prefer the Lynx guide over this.

 

Andy Adcock

Worst person on Birdforum

• Jun 11, 2020

• #4

'Now fully updated and expanded'..........

Two versions here, Helm and Princeton with the latter being £5 cheaper?

https://www.speedyhen.com/Search/Keyword?keyword=Birds of the West Indies &productType=0

 

Last edited: Jun 11, 2020

njlarsen

Gallery Moderator

Opus Editor

Supporter

• Jun 11, 2020

• #5

CaliSteve said:

This book is out now. Just got my copy but much prefer the Lynx guide over this.

Click to expand...

Do you have to have the first edition so that you can comment on what the changes are?

Niels

 

pbjosh

missing the neotropics

• Jun 12, 2020

• #6

CaliSteve said:

This book is out now. Just got my copy but much prefer the Lynx guide over this.

Click to expand...

I'd be curious to hear a bit of your reasoning if you don't mind elaborating? Cheers and thanks in advance for any insight.

 

Swissboy

Sempach, Switzerland

Supporter

• Jun 15, 2020

• #7

andyadcock said:

'Now fully updated and expanded'..........

Two versions here, Helm and Princeton with the latter being £5 cheaper?

https://www.speedyhen.com/Search/Keyword?keyword=Birds of the West Indies &productType=0

Click to expand...

Helm and Princeton usually have the same appearance (except for cover) and identical contents.

 

Swissboy

Sempach, Switzerland

Supporter

• Jun 17, 2020

• #8

pbjosh said:

I'd be curious to hear a bit of your reasoning if you don't mind elaborating? Cheers and thanks in advance for any insight.

Click to expand...

Cutting in for lack of response of the OP: I agree with his evaluation. The LYNX illustrations are usually considerably closer to the real birds. I have the first edition, but the sample pictures found in the "net" for the new edition show the style has not generally changed. Purple Martin is still too blue, to just mention one example.

 

njlarsen

Gallery Moderator

Opus Editor

Supporter

• Jun 28, 2020

• #9

I have to say that my evaluation at this point is a bit more nuanced. I find that (when compared to the first edition Raffaele et al.) the shorebirds are better in the Lynx field guide. However, the situation is opposite when comparing bill shape of Icteridae; then the Raffaele guide is better. Given that other guides such as the Sibley app contains all the local shorebirds, it might be more important to get the guide that is strong on the local birds. Some other details might be better in the newer guide (Lynx) but might be equaled in the second edition Raffaele guide.

Disclaimer: i have not seen the second edition of the Raffaele guide.

Niels