‘An exquisitely illustrated book that everyone should be twitching to get their hands on … The information is accessible to beginners and novices, offering insightful tips for even experienced birdwatchers. With this book, educating oneself further about British birds needn’t be a flight of fancy’
the field

October 2020 saw the publication of The Collins Birdwatcher’s Bible (US:The Backyard Birdwatcher’s Bible).
While birdwatching was already undergoing a resurgence, the pandemic caused interest to
skyrocket, as people around the world turned to nature in droves for solace, entertainment, beauty, everything. And the visually stunning, engagingly comprehensive Birdwatcher’s Bible met that need at just the right time – all 416 pages of it. The book has seen enthusiastic press coverage from as varied of outlets as Maxim magazine and SW Indian Foundation in the US to The Field and Homes & Gardens in the UK.
Sales have been equally broad-spectrum across various channels, with Barnes & Noble the biggest player for US sales alongside specialist gift stores, and garden centres, heritage
store, and gift shops selling across the UK. Even before its first printing, the book had already
reprinted to meet demand, and it is now in its fourth printing (totalling 50,000 copies) in only seven months. It just goes to show that even lockdown can’t keep down a good book … or passionate readers.
The authors
Dominic Couzens is an expert bird guide and author. His books include Extreme Birds, Atlas of Rare Birds, The Secret Lives of Puffins, and Top 100 Birding Sites of the World.
Sonya Patel Ellis is a writer, editor and artist exploring the botanical world and the interconnectedness of nature and culture. Her books include The Botanical Bible, The Heritage Herbal and Nature Tales: Encounters with Britain’s Wildlife.
Christopher Perrins is an Emeritus Fellow of the Institute of Field Ornithology at Oxford, and Her Majesty’s Swan Warden since 1993. He is the author of several books, including Collins New Generation Guide to Birds and The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Birds.
Paul Sterry is the author and photographer of more than 50 books, including Warblers and Other Song Birds of North America, Life-size Birds, and The Complete Guide to British Birds. Having trained as a zoologist, Paul has been a wildlife photographer, rewilding expert and passionate conservationist for over 30 years.