This book represents a major step forward in southern African bird studies as, for the first time, colour photographs are used not only to illustrate nearly every bird but also to show a wide variety of plumages and postures, including many in flight - a feature previously covered only by illustrations. The selection, made possible by advances in both photographic technology and improved technique, includes photographs from throughout the subregion. The 700 species in the book include not only all the resident and breeding species occurring in Southern Africa but many of the rare visitors and vagrants. Accompanying the species descriptions are colour distribution maps and, where necessary, colour illustrations that help positive identification.