Newman’s Birds by Colour (2026 Edition)

This Commemorative edition of Newman’s Birds of Southern Africa at once updates a classic and pays tribute to one of the region’s best loved birding authors, the late Kenneth Newman. With the support of bird expert Faansie Peacock, the author’s daughter, Vanessa Newman, has thoroughly revised, updated and expanded this new edition to reflect the latest research, both in terms of text and illustrations. Covering all the birds recorded from the Antarctic to the Zambezi River, its range includes the birds from the southern seas as well as those of South Africa, Zimbabwe, Namibia, Botswana, Swaziland, Lesotho and Mozambique. The familiar, user-friendly format of Newman’s Birds uses colour coding to indicate major bird groups and, as always, large accurate paintings of each species reflect the bird as it is seen in the field, now labeled with diagnostic features. A revised introductory section takes readers step-by-step through how to use this latest edition of Newman’s Birds of Southern Africa in the field.

Also available in Afrikaans as Newman se Voëls van Suider-Afrika.

• a detailed map for each site with specific guidance on what to look for and where
• information about the birds likely to be seen
• descriptions of each site, indicating the plants and wildlife that may be encountered in addition to the birds
• tips for planning your trip
• road directions to each site.

Think of an African safari and the ‘Big Five’ – lion, leopard, rhino, buffalo and elephant – immediately come to mind. Award-winning wildlife photographer Gerald Hinde has long been enthralled by these magnificent animals and has spent countless hours in the field, experiencing them in different moods and behaviours. Big Five of Africa beautifully reproduces some of the more remarkable moments he has captured on film during his visits to the wildlife sanctuaries of southern and East Africa. Brief but informative text introduces each animal in turn, providing interesting insights into the nature of these formidable, yet compelling, creatures.

Derived from an old Longman publication on bird watching and identification in southern Africa, this book focuses on the essence of how to go about identifying birds. Topics covered include size, shape, bill length, and other physical features that provide clues to the birds’ lifestyle and identity. Full colour photographs and simple line drawings support the text. This book is suitable for beginners of all ages as well as younger birders – in fact, for anyone daunted by the prospect of getting started in the captivating pastime of birding.