The neighbouring countries of Georgia and Azerbaijan, partners in the conservation of Caucasian Black Grouse and other regional projects, are the subjects of two important new books.

Raptors and Owls of Georgia is published by the Georgian Centre for the Conservation of Wildlife (GCCW, BirdLife in Georgia) and Buneba Print Publishing. Designed for use in the field, it provides a double-page spread for each of the 45 resident, breeding, migrant and rare visitor species covered. A total of 447 colour illustrations by Rafael Antonio Galvez depict plumage variation for each species. The text, in Georgian and English, covers identification, behaviour, confusion species, habitat, food sources, nesting and population status.

The Birds of Azerbaijan by Michael Patrikeev includes 372 species accounts, distribution maps and sections on Important Bird Areas and conservation. Michael Patrikeev was co-author of the Azerbaijan chapter of BirdLife International’s Important Bird Areas in Europe.

Two further books from by the Georgian Centre for the Conservation of Wildlife are due for publication later in June 2005: A Birdwatching Guide to Georgia, describing the 28 best sites, and Vultures of Georgia and Caucasus, providing comprehensive information on the biology, ecology, distribution, habitats and conservation management of Egyptian Vulture, Griffon Vulture, Cinereous Vulture and Lammergeier in Georgia and the Caucasus. All four titles are available online from NHBS.

GCCW are also preparing a more comprehensive field guide to the birds of the Caucasus, also with illustrations by Rafael Antonio Galvez.

The Azerbaijan Ornithological Society (AOS) has also been recently announced as the country’s new BirdLife Affiliate.

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