The current relevance of Cramps' BWP (1 Viewer)

[Ribbon]

Is Cramps multi-volume massive work still worth buying today?

It's still often cited and mentioned as a landmark within the covered region and beyond. But considering it's age and the many great books that followed I'm in doubt if it's worth the money (and how much), the shelve space etc.

I'm mainly planning to use it as a birder, not as a book collector.

Hope somebody can share some insights.

 

[DMW]

Difficult to say. There's an enormous amount of information in BWP that might be hard to find elsewhere, at least in a single resource. Some of it is out of date (distributional information especially), but the vast majority isn't.

Only you can say whether things like clutch size data for Steller's Eider or list of invertebrate remains in Grey Phalarope specimens are something you care about. The volumes I have just sit taking up shelf space collecting dust. I don't think buying a used set is particularly expensive these days (not much more than €200), it's the shelf-space that's the real cost.

 

[Goneandhopefullyforgotten]

DMW sums it up quite nicely except perhaps for the bit about collecting dust. I do still use mine.

For ID purposes there are far better more recent books. The distribution maps are of little use except as historical snapshots. There is however a huge amount of observational data about behaviour, breeding, feeding etc if that's the sort of thing you are interested in. I always check more recent sources first when I'm looking for such information but quite often I find myself looking at BWP because there isn't anything better or more up to date elsewhere about a particular species.

If you can find a cheap set and have the shelf space it might be worth getting depending on what you want from it. A bookshop I often visit has a set for £950 🤣. I think it's probably worth about £250 at most.

 

[jurek]

I often check it for general bird biology. For example, how long grey heron chicks grow to full size, is an unusually dull jay maybe a different subspecies, when a goldfinch starts to breed - essentially anything what is not distribution or species-specific identification. And surprisingly much appears unknown even for familiar birds.

 

[Murray Lord]

Worth noting that the entire publication is available in App format if you want to save on shelf space and money.

 

[Melanie]

I think BOTWP was a much better creation than the HBW series (comparable to The Birds of Africa by C. Hilary Fry, Emil K. Urban and Stuart Keith). And if it is true that Cramp has ruined his health for the creation of this work, even more.

 

[Swissboy]

I think BOTWP was a much better creation than the HBW series (comparable to The Birds of Africa by C. Hilary Fry, Emil K. Urban and Stuart Keith). And if it is true that Cramp has ruined his health for the creation of this work, even more.

As with most such discussions it all depends on what one wants from such publications. To me, HBW is the one source where I find a worldwide overview of all the species. And while I mostly use the summary volumes, I often go back to the full set for details.

 

[twitcherf]

My most useful volumes are 4 and 5 which I am using as a monitor stand to increase the height of my monitor . The rest of the volumes have sat on my shelf unopened for many many years now

 

[jurek]

I think BOTWP was a much better creation than the HBW series (comparable to The Birds of Africa by C. Hilary Fry, Emil K. Urban and Stuart Keith). And if it is true that Cramp has ruined his health for the creation of this work, even more.

Modern bird books cover essentially only identification and distribution. HBW series include some basic information on breeding, subspecies etc. Beyond that, you only have BWP or monographs of individual species or small groups.

Just recently I looked for less common calls of Tawny Owl. Every bird book will tell you what is the hooting call and the contact 'kewick' call of Tawny owl. But, as anybody can hear in an old city park at dusk, Tawny Owls make many other calls. Here BWP was the only help.

 

[SVS]

And when you are able to read and understand German, and have even more free shelf space, do not forget the even more comprehensive Handbuch der Vögel Mitteleuropas.

 

[Andrew Clarke]

Some good responses above. Times have changed and there have been various extensions added to the grand house that is Western Palearctic Ornithology; many rooms have been redone especially the library, there’s a new computer room, new utensils and modern tools inside to name a few but if you want to take your birdwatching past just identification and deepen your knowledge about the birds we all know and love this is quite literary the cornerstone. Neglect it at your peril.

Good Birding

Andrew