Philip's Guide to Birds of Britain and Europe is a highly practical illustrated field guide in a convenient pocket-sized format, and is organized for maximum ease of use. The birds are arranged in the new standard sequence of orders and families, starting with waterfowl and ending with passerines (perching birds). Each double-page spread shows a group of related birds illustrated together on a single plate, which facilitates rapid comparison for confident identification. A full-colour illustration is provided for each of the featured species, and includes the indication of important distinguishing features, plus a descriptive text and distribution map.

The text provides concise, detailed information to enable easy identification of the species. Standard data includes common English name, scientific name, size, habitat, plumage, characteristic flight pattern and behaviour, song and call. The illustrations show the adult male of each species in breeding plumage, and in winter plumage if different. Female, immature and juvenile plumages are also shown if their plumage differs from the adult male. Birds often seen in flight are also shown on the wing.

The guide excludes the rare vagrants shown in other guides, whose inclusion can cause confusion in the field.

Philip's Guide to Birds of Britain and Europe is ideal for beginners as well as more experienced ornithologists.