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Wanted: most beautiful illustrated bird encyclopaedia (1 Viewer)

black robin

New member
United Kingdom
Hello everyone! :)

Maybe there is already a thread for this but I was not able to find any. Understandably, most bird watchers are very much interested in guide books that make identifying birds as easy as possible – but this is not what I am looking for right now. I am looking for an encyclopaedia listing a vast array of different birds from A to Z with beautiful illustrations purely for aesthetic reasons. Just to appreciate their beauty, really! And maybe learn something new about them too.
What made me look into this is a recent birthday gift from my partner: "The Complete Language of Flowers: A Definitive and Illustrated History" by S. Theresa Dietz. It is an encyclopaedia of flowers that appreciates their beauty and the meaning they have been given by people over the centuries. A truly wonderful treasure chest of gorgeous illustration and intriguing notes about the different flowers. My partner, who adores birds, remarked that he would love to find a book similar to the one he gifted me – but about birds.
After searching the web for a while, I still haven't quite found a book that hits the mark. I'm looking for beautiful illustrations, maybe even whimsical (think vintage / Victorian illustrations), with the written information about the particular bird kept to a minimum. Anyone ever come across something like that?

Many thanks in advance! <3
 
Hi there and a warm welcome to you from those of us on staff here at BirdForum (y)
We're glad you found us and please join in wherever you like. ;)

Sorry, but I can't help you with your search but I'm sure you will get many suggestions.
 
Hello everyone! :)

Maybe there is already a thread for this but I was not able to find any. Understandably, most bird watchers are very much interested in guide books that make identifying birds as easy as possible – but this is not what I am looking for right now. I am looking for an encyclopaedia listing a vast array of different birds from A to Z with beautiful illustrations purely for aesthetic reasons. Just to appreciate their beauty, really! And maybe learn something new about them too.
What made me look into this is a recent birthday gift from my partner: "The Complete Language of Flowers: A Definitive and Illustrated History" by S. Theresa Dietz. It is an encyclopaedia of flowers that appreciates their beauty and the meaning they have been given by people over the centuries. A truly wonderful treasure chest of gorgeous illustration and intriguing notes about the different flowers. My partner, who adores birds, remarked that he would love to find a book similar to the one he gifted me – but about birds.
After searching the web for a while, I still haven't quite found a book that hits the mark. I'm looking for beautiful illustrations, maybe even whimsical (think vintage / Victorian illustrations), with the written information about the particular bird kept to a minimum. Anyone ever come across something like that?

Many thanks in advance! <3
Hi. Maybe this book?
 
Hello,
welcome to birdforum from me, too. Maybe you want to have these?
Lars Jonsson: Birds and Light - The Art of Lars Jonsson
Yes, its in German and only about waders, but you will love this. Trust me: "Strandläufer: Naturkundliche Impressionen von der Nordseeküste by Christopher Schmidt"
 
Hello! This looks amazing, thank you so much!! :love:
Open to more suggestions but from what I've seen & read about it so far (unfortunately there aren't that many pictures from inside the book), this could be it. Will try to find it at Waterstone's to have a browse through it myself before buying :)
some more pictures from the book
 

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Hello again, been a little while now!
With my partner's birthday coming up I remembered this thread and went back to have a look through the suggestions. In the end I went for The Bird by Philip Kennedy and I'm so excited for it to arrive :love:
Many thanks for all your help!
 
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