RSPB Id Spotlight – Birds of Prey

Whether it’s a soaring eagle or a restlessly gliding owl, chances are you will know a bird of prey when you see one. There is something in the way they fly that captivates our gaze. But can you tell a Goshawk from a Peregrine? Or distinguish between a Common Buzzard and Honey Buzzard in flight? The UK has just 16 species of raptors and five owls, but among them are some of the world’s most spectacular birds.

RSPB ID Spotlight Birds of Prey is a reliable fold-out chart that presents illustrations of all 21 of the UK’s birds of prey by renowned artist Stephen Message.

– Species are grouped by family and helpfully labelled to assist with identification
– Artworks are shown side by side for quick comparison and easy reference at home or in the field
– The reverse of the chart provides information on the habitats, behaviour, life cycles and diets of our birds of prey. It covers the conservation issues they are facing and how the RSPB is working to support them
– Information on successful UK raptor reintroductions and other campaigns that help our birds of prey

The RSPB ID Spotlight charts help wildlife enthusiasts identify and learn more about our most common species using accurate colour illustrations and informative, accessible text.

Author Biography:

Stephen Message is one of the UK’s foremost bird artists as well as an experienced birdwatcher. He studied Graphic Design, then specialised in natural history illustration at Bournemouth and Poole College of Art and has worked as a freelance artist ever since. Stephen has twice been runner up for the Bird Illustrator of the Year, and he was also the runner up for the Birdwatch Artist of the Year in 2017. Stephen has illustrated many books in his career, including Waders of Europe, Asia and North America, Bill Oddie’s Birds of Britain and Ireland and the Field Guide to the Birds of South-East Asia.

Marianne Taylor is a freelance writer, illustrator, photographer and editor. Marianne worked in publishing for seven years before taking the plunge as a freelancer in 2007. Since then, she has written more than 25 books for adults and children on a range of natural history subjects, including RSPB Garden Birds, RSPB British Birds of Prey, RSPB Seabirds and The Way of the Hare. A passion for all wildlife, but especially birds, has always been a driving force in Marianne’s life.