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Birds: Photographs
Birds of the world are portrayed in all their colorful glory by Tim Flach, the world’s leading animal photographer.
Radiating grace, intelligence, and humor, and always in motion, birds tantalize the human imagination. Working for years in his studio and the field, Tim Flach has portrayed nature’s most exquisite creatures alertly at rest or dramatically in flight, capturing intricate feather patterns and subtle coloration invisible to the naked eye.
From familiar friends to marvelous rarities, Flach’s birds convey the beauty and wonder of the natural world. In these magnificent photographs are all manner of songbirds, parrots, and birds of paradise; birds of prey, water birds, and theatrical domestic breeds. The brilliant ornithologist and Pulitzer Prize finalist Richard O. Prum is our guide to this magical kingdom.
Radiating grace, intelligence, and humor, and always in motion, birds tantalize the human imagination. Working for years in his studio and the field, Tim Flach has portrayed nature’s most exquisite creatures alertly at rest or dramatically in flight, capturing intricate feather patterns and subtle coloration invisible to the naked eye.
From familiar friends to marvelous rarities, Flach’s birds convey the beauty and wonder of the natural world. In these magnificent photographs are all manner of songbirds, parrots, and birds of paradise; birds of prey, water birds, and theatrical domestic breeds. The brilliant ornithologist and Pulitzer Prize finalist Richard O. Prum is our guide to this magical kingdom.
336 pages, Hardcover
First published September 1, 2021
5 people are currently reading
162 people want to read
About the author
Tim Flach
25 books35 followersTim Flach (b. 1958, London, United Kingdom) is a photographer best known for his highly conceptual portraits of animals. His images are a departure from traditional wildlife photography and he has been described as “a potent example of a commercially trained photographer who’s now reaching a global audience through the boom in fine art photography.” He is the author of the books Equus, Dogs Gods and More Than Human.
Tim Flach studied Communications Design at the North East London Polytechnic (1977–1980) and then Photography and Painted Structures at Saint Martin's School of Art (1982–1983). On graduation he briefly assisted Brian Worth, but soon began to attract commissions and was working independently from 1983. Today his clients include the Sunday Times, Cirque du Soleil, Sony, luxury brand Hermès and the Locarno International Film Festival. His images have twice been featured on Royal Mail stamps (2000) and "Working Dogs" (2008) as well as in campaigns for the Minnesota Zoo. His fine art prints are represented in London by the Osborne Samuel gallery.
Flach has repeatedly been honoured by leading organisations and publications in the photography world, including: the Association of Photographers, American Photography, Photo District Annual, Communication Arts, Cannes Lions, Creative Review and Design & Art Direction. He has also won the International Photography Awards Professional Photographer of the Year, Fine Art.
Source: Wikipedia
Tim Flach studied Communications Design at the North East London Polytechnic (1977–1980) and then Photography and Painted Structures at Saint Martin's School of Art (1982–1983). On graduation he briefly assisted Brian Worth, but soon began to attract commissions and was working independently from 1983. Today his clients include the Sunday Times, Cirque du Soleil, Sony, luxury brand Hermès and the Locarno International Film Festival. His images have twice been featured on Royal Mail stamps (2000) and "Working Dogs" (2008) as well as in campaigns for the Minnesota Zoo. His fine art prints are represented in London by the Osborne Samuel gallery.
Flach has repeatedly been honoured by leading organisations and publications in the photography world, including: the Association of Photographers, American Photography, Photo District Annual, Communication Arts, Cannes Lions, Creative Review and Design & Art Direction. He has also won the International Photography Awards Professional Photographer of the Year, Fine Art.
Source: Wikipedia
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
September 24, 2023
One time in college, I joined a group of biology students on a little outing to Roan Mountain to look for Saw-whet owls. I was just kind of tagging along, having heard about it from a friend I wanted to hang out with (reader, I married him a few years later). The professor leading the group saw me when we got out of the car, and he said, "I didn't know you were a birder." And, funny thing, I didn't know I was either. But I do love birds. And I might even love them a little more after making my way through this book.
The book is huge, probably a foot-and-a-half tall and a foot wide. The photos, some filling a single page, some spreading across two, are breathtaking. There's no habitat or anything besides a white or black background in the photos; they look like the birds came to Flach's studio to pose for their close-ups. There's such gorgeous detail in these photos, some of them so incredibly close that all you see is feathers.
Each section has an introduction written by ornithologist Richard O. Prum, and there are thumbnail captions for every photo at the end of the book, written by John Nash and Tessa King. I read them, because I have to read everything, but they were packed with interesting facts, things that surprised even that old friend who invited me to look for birds back in college. So I do recommend reading them if you check out this book.
I was glad he included a section on eggs and how they turn out looking so different from each other. A few were shown at their actual size, which was neat. It's hard to pick a favorite, but I will say that I looked up the Temminck's Tragopan's mating display after reading about it, and it is a sight you don't want to miss! The Ocellated Turkey, the Secretary Bird, and the Splendid Sunbird were also favorites.
I've read a few of Flach's other photo collections, and I'm always glad I did.
The book is huge, probably a foot-and-a-half tall and a foot wide. The photos, some filling a single page, some spreading across two, are breathtaking. There's no habitat or anything besides a white or black background in the photos; they look like the birds came to Flach's studio to pose for their close-ups. There's such gorgeous detail in these photos, some of them so incredibly close that all you see is feathers.
Each section has an introduction written by ornithologist Richard O. Prum, and there are thumbnail captions for every photo at the end of the book, written by John Nash and Tessa King. I read them, because I have to read everything, but they were packed with interesting facts, things that surprised even that old friend who invited me to look for birds back in college. So I do recommend reading them if you check out this book.
I was glad he included a section on eggs and how they turn out looking so different from each other. A few were shown at their actual size, which was neat. It's hard to pick a favorite, but I will say that I looked up the Temminck's Tragopan's mating display after reading about it, and it is a sight you don't want to miss! The Ocellated Turkey, the Secretary Bird, and the Splendid Sunbird were also favorites.
I've read a few of Flach's other photo collections, and I'm always glad I did.
April 24, 2022
Beautiful! Laugh out loud and marvel at the wonder of these amazing creatures.
April 12, 2022
This beautiful coffee table book captures the radiant personalities of birds and their special characteristics such as Iridescent feathers and eyes, and spectacular beaks in gorgeous photographs. They are accompanied by short essays highlighting the specialized behavior and features of each family of birds whose members appear in the photographs.
The book rates 4.5 stars. It loses half a star due to its failure to label each photo with the species appearing in the photograph, and for centering some of the photos on two page spreads on the page break when they could easily have been placed on a single page to provide a better presentation to the viewer.
The book rates 4.5 stars. It loses half a star due to its failure to label each photo with the species appearing in the photograph, and for centering some of the photos on two page spreads on the page break when they could easily have been placed on a single page to provide a better presentation to the viewer.
October 6, 2025
Tim Flach’s “Birds” is far more than a photographic album – it is a celebration of evolution, anatomy, and beauty. I am deeply impressed by the extraordinary quality of the photographs, which not only reveal the visual splendor of birds but also capture their anatomical and morphological details with scientific precision. Each image feels like both an artistic masterpiece and a natural history illustration, merging aesthetic sensitivity with biological insight.
These are the facts that impressed me the most:
The evolution of scavenging has occurred multiple times independently — for example, among vultures of the Old and New Worlds.
Hornbills’ long “eyelashes” are actually specialized bristle feathers growing along their eyelids.
Parrots show remarkable cognitive flexibility, outperforming macaques despite having brains five times smaller. They can change strategy, apply previous experience to new contexts, and adapt rapidly to new rules.
Modern genetics reveals that mutations controlling feather development in pigeons often affect the same genes that distinguish forelimbs from hindlimbs — explaining why some pigeons grow feathers on their feet.
These are the facts that impressed me the most:
The evolution of scavenging has occurred multiple times independently — for example, among vultures of the Old and New Worlds.
Hornbills’ long “eyelashes” are actually specialized bristle feathers growing along their eyelids.
Parrots show remarkable cognitive flexibility, outperforming macaques despite having brains five times smaller. They can change strategy, apply previous experience to new contexts, and adapt rapidly to new rules.
Modern genetics reveals that mutations controlling feather development in pigeons often affect the same genes that distinguish forelimbs from hindlimbs — explaining why some pigeons grow feathers on their feet.
February 19, 2022
Gorgeous!
April 30, 2022
Beautiful photos.
June 27, 2022
Fabulous high resolution photographs.
April 20, 2023
Excellent picture book. I often found myself going to this book when I felt anxious. The bird pictures were very soothing. The close ups of feather structure induce a sort of visual ASMR.
July 5, 2023
Quality of the pictures is mind blowing! Book includes some rare birds that I’ve never seen before.
March 27, 2024
Absolutely beautiful photographs! I loved seeing the beautiful diversity that the photographer captured.
July 28, 2024
Zwaar boek maar wat een prachtige foto's.
December 8, 2025
Gorgeous body of work. But the hardcover artwork underneath the dust jacket is stunning. STUNNING. 😍😭
September 28, 2023
This stunning coffee table book is an unparalleled masterpiece that brings the radiant personalities of birds to life through captivating photography. With a keen eye for detail, the photographer, Tim Flach, beautifully showcases their unique characteristics, including iridescent feathers, mesmerizing eyes, and spectacular beaks. The images are simply breathtaking, exuding both artistry and a deep appreciation for the natural world.
As a bird photography enthusiast, I would say that these are the most extraordinary bird photographs I have ever encountered. The compositions are far from the ordinary "bird on a stick" poses that one often comes across, showcasing Tim Flach's gifted ability to capture birds in their most unique and engaging moments. The images transcend mere snapshots and feel like true works of art.
As a bird photography enthusiast, I would say that these are the most extraordinary bird photographs I have ever encountered. The compositions are far from the ordinary "bird on a stick" poses that one often comes across, showcasing Tim Flach's gifted ability to capture birds in their most unique and engaging moments. The images transcend mere snapshots and feel like true works of art.
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews