The Birds of Turkey: The Distribution, Taxonomy and Breeding of Turkish Birds

Please note: although published by A&C Black, this book is more a monograph than the typical Helm Field Guide they produce. The book does not contain colour plates with paintings of bird species. For a field guide to the area we recommend Birds of the Middle East instead, which, amongst others, covers Turkey.

Turkey is a popular destination for birders and tourists, and although there has been much published on its birds over the past 40 years, there has never been a comprehensive avifauna.

The Birds of Turkey redresses this. It contains a detailed account of every species on the Turkish list, with a full breakdown of records and status, distribution in Turkey, and taxonomy. A distribution map accompanies each entry. There are also authoritative introductory chapters on geography, climate, habitats, history of ornithology and conservation.

"This is without doubt a monumental publication, Guy Kirwan and his team are to be congratulated on a thorough, professional publication that will without doubt be the essential reference for Turkish birdlife"
- BirdGuides.com February 2009

"this book is a great achievement in the study of birds of the Middle East"
- Falcon Research Group, Spring 2009

"The Birds of Turkey is a up-to-date, comprehensive and solid ornithological work of reference on the taxonomic, distributional and breeding status of the country's birds. [...] an important benchmark not only for Turkey, but for the entire Middle East region."
- Utku Perktas, IBIS – The Journal of the British Ornithologists' Union

Guy Kirwan (the senior author) has travelled extensively in Turkey over many years and has published many papers on its birds. Heis also the editor of the "Turkey Bird Report" and the former editor of OSME's journal, "Sandgrouse".