Handbook of the Birds of the World: The Definitive Avian Encyclopedia
The Handbook of the Birds of the World (HBW) stands as a monumental achievement in ornithology—the scientific study of birds. Produced by the Spanish publishing house Lynx Edicions in partnership with BirdLife International, it is the first comprehensive handbook to cover every known living species of bird. This ambitious project provides a level of detail and illustration for an entire animal class that has never been matched for any other group in the animal kingdom.
Edited by Josep del Hoyo, Andrew Elliott, Jordi Sargatal, and David A. Christie, the series was published between 1992 and 2013. It represents a global collaborative effort, drawing on the expertise of over 200 renowned specialists, 35 illustrators, and 834 photographers from more than 40 countries.
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Key Facts
- Scope: The first work to illustrate and treat every known living bird species in detail.
- Scale: Comprises 16 main volumes, plus a special volume and subsequent checklists.
- Physicality: Individual volumes are massive, measuring 32 by 25 cm and weighing between 4 and 4.6 kg.
- Digital Evolution: Expanded into the Internet Bird Collection (IBC) and the HBW Alive online database.
- Recognition: Recipient of multiple international awards, including "Bird Book of the Year" and "Outstanding Academic Title."
Structure and Content
The HBW is meticulously organized to serve as both a reference and a scholarly resource. Each volume groups birds by family, beginning with an introductory article on that specific family. This is followed by detailed species accounts that cover:
- Taxonomy and subspecies
- Distribution and habitat
- Descriptive notes on appearance
- Food, feeding habits, and breeding
- Movements, status, and conservation efforts
- Comprehensive bibliography
To add further academic value, almost every volume (excluding the first and second) includes an essay on a specific ornithological theme, ranging from avian bioacoustics to the history of bird classification.
Digital Expansion and Modern Updates
To make avian knowledge more accessible, Lynx Edicions launched several digital initiatives. In 2002, the Internet Bird Collection (IBC) was created as a free-access audiovisual library featuring videos, photos, and sound recordings. This non-profit project is supported by over one hundred global contributors.
In 2013, the HBW Alive online database was launched. This platform integrates the volume and family introductions with updated species accounts. The taxonomy—the science of naming and classifying organisms—has been revised twice to align with the HBW and BirdLife International Illustrated Checklist of the Birds of the World. Additionally, the site offers a free "Key to Scientific Names in Ornithology."
Further print updates include the 2014 two-volume Illustrated Checklist of the Birds of the World, which includes species extinct since 1500, and a condensed single-volume version titled All the Birds of the World released in 2019.
Series Summary
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Publisher | Lynx Edicions (Spain) |
| Publication Years | 1992–2013 |
| Total Main Volumes | 16 |
| Contributors | 200+ specialists, 35 illustrators, 834 photographers |
| Digital Platforms | Internet Bird Collection (IBC), HBW Alive |
| Physical Weight | 4 to 4.6 kg per volume |
Detailed Volume Breakdown
Volumes 1 to 7 (1992–2002)
These early volumes established the foundation of the series. Volume 1 covers everything from Ostriches to Ducks and includes a 38-page overview of bird biology. Subsequent volumes cover diverse groups including New World Vultures, Hoatzins, Sandgrouse, Barn-Owls, Mousebirds, and Jacamars, ending with Woodpeckers in Volume 7.
Volumes 8 to 16 (2003–2011)
The latter half of the series delves into more specialized groups. Volume 8 begins with Broadbills and progresses through Cotingas, Cuckoo-shrikes, and Old World Flycatchers. The final volumes cover Penduline-tits, Bush-shrikes, Weavers, and conclude with Cardinals and New World Blackbirds in Volume 16.
Special and Supplemental Volumes
A Special Volume published in 2013 addresses changes in macrosystematics and describes 84 new species, including 15 newly discovered Amazonian birds. The Illustrated Checklist of the Birds of the World (2014 and 2016) provides a comprehensive visual record of both non-passerines and passerines, including extinct species.
Frequently Asked Questions
What makes the Handbook of the Birds of the World unique?
It is the first work in the animal kingdom to provide detailed treatment and illustrations for every single known living species within an entire animal class.
How can I access the HBW information online?
You can use the HBW Alive online database for updated species accounts and the Internet Bird Collection (IBC) for audiovisual materials like videos and sound recordings.
Who contributed to the creation of the series?
The project was a massive international effort involving over 200 specialists, 35 illustrators, and 834 photographers from more than 40 different countries.
Does the series include extinct birds?
While the main 16 volumes focus on living species, the Illustrated Checklist of the Birds of the World includes drawings and maps of all species extinct since the year 1500.
How heavy are the physical books?
The volumes are exceptionally large, weighing between 4 and 4.6 kilograms (8.8 to 10.1 lb) each, leading some reviewers to jokingly call them "fork-lift truck books."