Initially published as the first New Zealand title in a successful international series, Geoff Moon's compact yet comprehensive guide to birds has gone on to become a bestseller in this country, with sales now exceeding 20,000 copies. In this fully revised edition with attractive new cover, species accounts have been updated according to the 4th edition of the Ornithological Society's official Checklist of the Birds of New Zealand. The many changes include updates to classification, distribution and population status. Maori names have now also been added for all species, where applicable. Although not intended to take the place of a more in-depth field guide, the book features photographs of the most commonly seen birds along with detailed information on distribution, habitat, behaviour and breeding. Each bird is illustrated with at least one colour photograph to aid identification, and in many cases photographs also show the birds in their habitat – nesting, feeding and socialising.
The late Geoff Moon, OBE, Hon. FPSNZ (1915-2009) was an outstanding natural history photographer and author best known for his many major works on birds, including New Zealand: Land of Birds and most recently New Zealand Forest Birds and their World, both published by New Holland. His wife Lynnette Moon, worked very closely with him on his many books and authored Know your New Zealand Birds (New Holland). She has overseen this new edition with additional input from natural heritage scientist, Tim Lovegrove.