Newman's Birds of Southern Africa

Kenneth Newman
Struik, 2002
205x125mm, 528 pages. ISBN 1-86872-734-3
R159-00 sofcover; R189-95 PVC cover

When ‘Newman's' first appeared in 1983, it took the birding world by storm and displaced ‘Roberts' Birds' as the most useful identification guide to the birds of the region. Ken Newman's easy-to-use format and his bold illustrations greatly facilitated the identification of birds and the artist-author undoubtedly did more to stimulate the hobby than anyone before him. For this, he deserves the highest praise as the ‘popularisation' of birdwatching has had far-reaching effects for conservation in southern Africa

The book has been reprinted and or revised on eight occasions since it was first released but, to be honest, twenty years on, it still looks pretty much the same. Only a fraction of the illustrations have been revised over the years (in most cases attesting to their accuracy) and the distribution maps have probably been the most significant alteration (particularly in the light of the massive SA Bird Atlas programme of the 1990's).

This new edition has a brief introduction to birdwatching, and a discussion of bird habitats with colour photographs. Of major interest, is the use of the revised ‘global' names which have been proposed in recent years, and which have caused some confusion (and even consternation) among local birders. In many cases, alternative/former names are provided. Recent taxonomic revisions have been catered for, with recent species splits - such as those among the larks and pipits - being reflected by new illustrations and/or re-arranged plates. Species such as the Grey-headed Parrot (formerly a race of the Cape Parrot) are now distinguished. In this case, however, a serious error exists in that the distribution map of the Cape Parrot shows the combined range of it and its close relative, thus contradicting their geographic separation (the critically endangered and endemic Cape Parrot is confined to the Eastern Cape, whereas the Grey-headed ranges across low-lying Zimbabwe and the far-northern Kruger National Park). Unfortunately, the same problem exists with the three ‘green' louries, where the distribution map of the Knysna Lourie also shows the range of its two relatives (Schalow's and Livingstone's) which have actually been split from it for several years. The two latter species have their own distribution maps, but that of Livingstone's is incomplete as it does not reflect this species' range in coastal Mozambique and Zululand. Just scanning through the book, I found several other problems with the distribution maps, such as that for the African Barred Owlet which does not show the Zululand or Eastern Cape populations.

On the positive side, the addition of underwing patterns for eagles and vultures is very welcome, as is the inclusion of plover flight profiles, and illustrations of rare morphs such as the ‘rufous' Eurasian Cuckoo and ‘yellow' Crimson-breasted Boubou.

To my mind, the list of ‘References' on page 476 should have been expanded to include recent works of distinction such as Tarboton's ‘Nests and Eggs of Southern African Birds' (2001) and Steyn's ‘Nesting Birds' (1996). For those birders who use Newman's as their ‘Bible' - it would have be useful to point them in the direction of other useful sources of information.

Notwithstanding the criticisms above, this is clearly the most significant revision of the book since it was first published, but would have benefited from more careful scrutiny prior to printing. A new edition of Newman's primary rival in the marketplace - ‘Sasol Field Guide to the Birds of Southern Africa' is due out shortly and it will be most interesting to compare its changes (most presumably along the same lines).

For now, however, those who have ‘cut their birding teeth' on Newman's will be reluctant to change and will be happy with this new edition - still bright, bold and easy to use. When all is said and done - a good field guide is one which will enable you to identify any bird you see before you. In this, ‘Newman's' succeeds admirably.

- Duncan Butchart -

Posted: Birds by CC Africa, Date: 22 November 2006