A state-of-the-art photographic field guide to the world's oceanic birds

Oceanic birds are among the most remarkable but least known of all birds, living at sea, far from the sight of most people. They offer unusual identification challenges—many species look similar and it can be difficult to get good views of fast-flying birds from a moving boat. The first field guide to the world's oceanic birds in more than two decades, this exciting and authoritative book draws on decades of firsthand experience on the open seas. It features clear text filled with original insights and new information and more than 2,200 carefully chosen color images that bring the ocean and its remarkable winged inhabitants to life. Never before have oceanic birds been presented in such an accessible and comprehensive way.

The introduction discusses the many recent developments in seabird taxonomy, which are incorporated into the species accounts, and these accounts are arranged into groups that aid field identification. Each group and species complex has an introductory overview of its identification challenges, illustrated with clear comparative photos. The text describes flight manner, plumage variation related to age and molt, seasonal occurrence patterns, migration routes, and many other features.

The result is an indispensable guide for exploring birding's last great frontier.

• A comprehensive, authoritative, and accessible guide to oceanic birds
  
• Covers more than 270 species
  
• Includes more than 2,200 color photos with concise captions noting key features
  
• Features careful species comparisons, overviews of the latest taxonomy, tips on how to observe and ID birds at sea, and much more
  

"A remarkable bird guide; it contains an unusual depth of ornithological and taxonomic knowledge combined with field expertise, organized in a readable manner that focuses almost entirely on bird identification. It is full of visual identification goodies and smart observations, facts and maps, up-to-date taxonomy and hundreds of photographs." - 10,000 Birds Book Review

"It is excellent, the text is comprehensive and ID features do get pointed out. . . Series world birders will want this on their bookshelves as will dedicated sea watchers." - Fat Birder