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Field Guides to India (2 Viewers)

For me, Inskipp, Inskipp and Grimett (Birds of India) was very helpful. Be careful to buy the field edition (unless you want to build your muscles also).

Greetings
André
 
Yes, it's the same guide but different editions, yours being the most recent. The first edition was published as the larger Birds of the Indian Subcontinent in 98. The Princeton Pocket Guide edition was published in 99.
 
There's also the book by Kazmierczak "A Field Guide to the Birds of the Indian Subcontinent" which is quite good and has better maps. Additionally there are guides to Northern India and Southern india by Grimmett and Inskipp depending upon where you are going.

None of the books has accurate distribution maps as information is still "developing" on distribution. Also there have been a few splits since their respective publications so watch out for that too.

My personal preference is for the G,I&I Pocket Guide with lots of annotations.
 
I also need to get hold of the best field guide to India. Leaving Dec /Jan and heading to the south!
It's either Birds of the Indian Subcontinent or Birds of South India - not sure which.
 
Last edited:
motacilla oenenthe said:
so is the inskipp book better than the salim ali guides?
Click to expand...

The Salim Ali guides in their various manifestations are very interesting and informative but aren't suitable as field guides. The illustrations aren't very good compared with more modern works, the distribution information is variable and there have been a number of splits since even the most recent publication. Add to this that they aren't very robust and I wouldn'y recommend their use in the field, although I would recommend their purchase when in India as they are very good value there.
 
I've just spent twenty pounds of my hard earned cash on a copy of ' A field Guide to the Birds of the Indian Subcontinent' by Krys Kazmierczak. In the shop it seemed to be just what I needed. However since I have got it home I can't find any key to the distribution maps! At the front of the book it tells the reader to see the inside back cover for a key, but my inside back cover is blank, so I have no idea what any of the colours mean on the maps. Has anybody else had this problem with their copy?
 
The two-volume Ripley guide is very good too. Surprised that no-one has mentioned that one. Vol 1 would be good to take as a field guide as all most recent splits are included.
 
Hello

1) No, Birds of Southern India does not seem to include the Andamans. They will be covered in the new edition of the Pocket Guide to Birds of the Indian Subcontinent though.

2) There was a problem with the printing on the last reprint of Kazmierczak and Ven Perlo. Richlford, drop me an email and I'll send over the key.

Cheers, Jim
 
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