Zoology: birds (ornithology) Books

Book SynopsisRSPB Spotlight: Ducks and Geese is packed with eye-catching, informative colour photos, and features succinct, detailed text written by a knowledgeable naturalist.This is a detailed ''biography'' of ducks and geese that breed in or regularly visit the UK covering 30 species in all. It will include chapters on the evolution of ducks and geese, their place in the natural world, their anatomy and physiology, various feeding methods, spectacular courtship displays and diverse breeding behaviour. Marianne Taylor reveals their often epic migrations and examine their social interactions with their own and other species, including their unusual readiness to hybridise. She also details their relationships with humankind over the centuries, including their presence in folklore and literature and their role in our lives as both prey and pets.She explores their presence as feral and sometimes invasive species outside their natural ranges, and their current status within their nativeTable of ContentsMeet the Ducks and Geese Evolution and Adaptation Breeding Diet and Feeding Social Life Migration Threats and Conservation Wildfowl and People Watching Ducks and Geese Glossary Further Reading and Resources Acknowledgements Image Credits Index

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Book SynopsisImagine a bird as small as a sparrow, which lives most of its life on the open ocean yet can survive for decades. It walks on the water, and migrates half way around the world, returning to remote islands to breed underground, often in exactly the same rock crevice each year. To attract a mate it sings like a fairy and smells aromatic, but it vomits oil onto its enemies. It visits its nest by night, lays a single enormous egg, and feeds its chick until the nestling weighs more than both parents put together. It seems to have little fear of humans, but was itself feared by ancient seafarers. This might sound like the stuff of legend, but is actually the description of the European Storm-petrel, a member of the Hydrobatidae family. The latest in the Poyser series, with comprehensive text and beautiful illustrations, this follows the remarkable life of the storm-petrel. Focusing on the European species, it tracks their lives from the remote North Atlantic islands, where they br

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Book SynopsisAn essential compendium on the biology, identification, distribution and conservation of Europe''s 13 species of owls.Owls are fascinating birds, with remarkable adaptations for their lives as nocturnal hunters. Covering the 13 species of owls that occur across the continent, Owls of Europe features detailed drawings of typical positions, behaviours and facial expressions, alongside more than 300 photos selected to demonstrate age and subspecific variation, colour phases and the birds in flight. This book includes up-to-date distribution maps and the latest European population estimates, along with detailed text on behaviour, voice, brood biology and juvenile development, life strategies, hunting techniques, choice of prey and habitat requirements for each species. It also explores human interactions with owls, from the threats posed to determined conservation efforts.Owls of Europe is an essential book for birdwatchers, professional orni

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Book SynopsisThis book describes the natural and cultural history of an iconic and unusual woodpecker – a species that nests in tree cavities but which forages mostly on the ground. The Green Woodpecker, known in folk English as the Yaffle, is afforded comprehensive coverage in this work, with information on its origins, taxonomy, anatomy, appearance, moult, calls, distribution, conservation status, habitats, movements, breeding, diet and relationships with other wildlife and humans all presented. The text is richly illustrated throughout with quality photographs as well as sound spectrograms. Many eye-opening observations of Green Woodpecker behaviour are detailed. This all-encompassing and engaging account has been written for a wide audience, whether professional ornithologist, citizen scientist, amateur birder, woodpecker aficionado or simply someone who wishes to learn more about this curious and remarkable bird.Trade ReviewThe Green Woodpecker is extensively illustrated with captivating photographs and artwork which support Gorman’s narrative which is always authoritative, entertaining and fast-paced. -- James Wright, The Wryneck blogIf you want to know what we currently know about this species then this, undoubtedly, is the book for you. -- Mark Avery, author and environmental campaignerThis book is a must have for anyone with an interest in this species or with woodpeckers in general. -- Ian Paulsen, The Birdbooker ReportThis is a well-written book that brings together a wealth of information. Nobody has done more on a European scale to promote woodpecker issues than Gerard Gorman. -- Keith Betton, British BirdsWritten with a blend of scientific rigour and a narrative style, The Green Woodpecker invites both nature enthusiasts and curious minds to embark on a journey that deeps down into the species taxonomy, behaviours and conservation by highlighting the links between the bird and its surroundings. -- Letizia Campioni, AvocettaTable of ContentsAbout the author Acknowledgements Preface 1. Origins and Taxonomy 2. Anatomy and Morphology 3. Description and Identification 4. Moult, Ageing and Sexing 5. Relatives 6. Communication 7. Distribution, Population and Trends 8. Challenges and Conservation 9. Habitats 10. Behaviour 11. Movements and Flight 12. Breeding 13. Cavities 14. Tracks and Signs 15. Foraging and Food 16. Relationships 17. Folklore, Mythology and Symbolism References Index

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Book SynopsisComprehensive yet portable, this concise field-guide edition of Australian Bird Guide is an essential companion for every birdwatcher visiting AustraliaThis new, fully updated concise edition of the award-winning Australian Bird Guide brings the authority and clarity of ABG into a portable format ideal for field use. Its compact format features more than 700 bird species that are residents of or regular visitors to the Australian mainland and Tasmania, and surrounding seas. Easy to use and beautifully illustrated, the book's content has been carefully designed to provide the reader with key information to enable rapid identification of any bird. Australian Bird Guide: Concise Edition includes up-to-date species descriptions, distribution maps, illustrations and comparison pages for major groups. Portable and pocket-friendly yet comprehensive and authoritative, it's an essential companion for any birdwatcher visiting Australia.Trade ReviewFor residents of Australia, the completeness of the full-sized edition makes it an essential reference to have; but for those of us who are visiting and perhaps don’t require such in-depth coverage of vagrants and subspecific variation in the country, this new concise edition makes for the perfect birding companion. The quality remains top class, and the guide’s reasonable price and remarkably small size only add to its appeal. * British Birds *Anyone interested in the birds of Australia should get the full guide, but if you are just visiting, leave that at home and buy this excellent complementary concise guide to take with you! I really can’t recommend it highly enough. * Scottish Birds *

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Book SynopsisA colourful and comprehensive handbook packed with all the basic skills and knowledge you need to become a better birder.Targeted to beginners and beyond, National Geographic’s fun, inspiring guide to the art, craft, and science of bird-watching combines practical know-how and expert knowledge. Bursting with helpful illustrations and photographs, Birding Basics offers new ideas for when, where, and how to get to know the birds in your world.Not a field guide but a primer in best practices, authored by birding expert Noah Strycker, this breezy book features easy-to-follow advice on what to look and listen for, how to use field guides and birding apps, the best equipment to start with, and ways to engage with other birders around the world. Filled with fun facts and seasoned advice, this useful book will help you attract birds to your backyard, master bird identification, name a bird by its song, and witness the magic of migration. Sidebars

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Book SynopsisDiscover the healing power of nature through the stories of these characterful birds, whose song is never far away . . .LONGLISTED FOR THE 2022 WAINWRIGHT PRIZE''A lyrical and life-affirming book that teaches us as much about birds as it does ourselves - a balm for the soul'' Raynor Winn, author of The Salt Path''Totally absorbing and completely engaging on so many levels . . . Charlie has opened my eyes to the constant joy of the sights and sounds of the birds that surround us. It is a book that really will save lives'' Dr Richard Shepherd, author of Unnatural Causes_________After the tragic loss of his mother, Charlie Corbett felt trapped by his pain. Having lost all hope and perspective he took to the countryside in search of solace. There, he heard the soaring, cascading song of the skylark - a sound that pulled him from the depths of despair and into the calm of the natural world.Weaving his jTrade ReviewA lyrical and life-affirming book that teaches us as much about birds as it does ourselves - a balm for the soul * Raynor Winn, author of The Salt Path *Totally absorbing and completely engaging on so many levels... Charlie has opened my eyes to the constant joy of the sights and sounds of the birds that surround us. It is a book that really will save lives * Dr Richard Shepherd, author of Unnatural Causes *An enchanting book. I knew at once this was something special * Lady Glenconner *This is no ordinary ornithology, but one that portrays the very essence of each bird through a very human lens and shows us that both solace and joy can be ours by merely observing with an open eye and an open heart * John Wright, author of The Forager's Calendar *A wonderful blend of the lyrical and practical. Charlie shows us that our relationship with birds and the natural world is not only healing, but an important part of our cultural heritage worth protecting * Adam Henson *From dawn choruses to the first chiffchaff calls of spring, Charlie Corbett shows how the changing seasons can bring happy natural rhythms to times of hardship * National Geographic Traveller *This is no misery memoir . . . The story moves apace to its uplifting conclusion, that Nature is the best medicine * Country Life *There is much to be admired * Countryfile *An important book, woven with the countryside and catharsis. Also instructive into which birds to look for and how to recognise their calls and song. Written by a true countryman and loving son * The Field *Honest, uplifting and written from the heart, this is a rediscovery of life inspired by a re-discovery of birds -- Tim BirkheadOne of those charming nuggets you sometimes chance across in the bookshop, pulling together themes of nature, grief, mental health and healing * Salisbury Journal *

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Book SynopsisShortlisted for the BB/BTO Best Bird Book of the Year 2022.The first comprehensive coverage of a subject that has fascinated natural historians for centuries.Avian vagrancy is a phenomenon that has fascinated natural historians for centuries. From Victorian collectors willing to spend fortunes on a rare specimen, to today's high-octane bird-chasing twitchers', the enigma of vagrancy has become a source of obsession for countless birders worldwide.Vagrancy in Birds explores both pattern and process in avian vagrancy, drawing on recent research to answer a suite of fundamental questions concerning the occurrence of rare birds. For each avian family, the book provides an in-depth analysis of recent and historical vagrancy patterns, representing the first comprehensive assessment of vagrancy at a global scale. The accounts are accompanied by hundreds of previously unpublished images featuring many of the most exceptional vagrants on record.The book synthesises for the Trade ReviewA fascinating read into the different causes of vagrancy, and the instances of vagrancy in different bird families. * BBC Wildlife *An exceptional publication ... If you have an interest in migration and vagrancy you should definitely add it to your bookshelf. * Birdwatch Magazine *Vagrancy in Birds takes you on a journey, following the movement of birds around the world, and showing you why so many end up often in the ‘wrong place’ … The mixture of colour pictures really adds to the text, especially in the excellent species accounts which make up most of the book. * Bird Watching, Book of the Month *Incredibly rich ... this remarkable, unique book deserves a place on the shelf of every birder. * Neotropical Birding *This book offers something for all birders and ornithologists, from rarity hunters to conservationists studying habitat loss … one of the most useful titles of the year. * British Birds *Vagrancy In Birds is a unique book, a scholarly volume of ornithological research that birders will also find fascinating and enjoyable. * Bird Observer *This is a rarity of a book, technical, but enthralling. -- John Lewis-Stempel * Country Life *One of the most useful titles of 2022... presents theories and observations in an easily accessible way. * BTO, Best Bird Book of the Year 2022 *For the first time, this book, in no short order, explores the how and the why of bird vagrancy on a global scale, exploring in great detail how birds navigate and the driving forces that find some birds thousands of kilometres from their intended location, and even on different continents from the one they set out for... one of the most interesting things I have read on birds for a long time. -- Paul Stancliffe * BTO *Table of ContentsAcknowledgements Scope of the Book How Birds Navigate Vagrancy through Compass Errors Wind Drift and Vagrancy Overshooting Extreme Weather and Irruptions Vagrancy and Natural Dispersal Human-driven Vagrancy Consequences of Vagrancy for Species and Ecosystems Family Accounts Avian Vagrancy in an Era of Global Change References General Index Species Index

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Book SynopsisAn essential field guide companion covering species pairs or groups that are difficult to identify. This book covers difficult identification issues by looking at tricky species pairs or groups of birds, and comparing and contrasting their respective features. Designed as a field companion, it supplements the standard field guides and provides much additional information. As well as detailed texts, the books include extensive illustrations of all relevant ages and plummages of the species concerned.Trade Review...a godsend to anyone wanting to tell a bar-tailed from a black-tailed godwit, a firecrest from a goldcrest or a greenfinch from a siskin. * Daily Express *...a helpful new book. ...It is carefully detailed but it is also agreeably written. * The Times *It does exactly as it says on the cover...a fine book * Sunday Express *...this is an indispensable addition to your library. * Scottish Birds *Table of ContentsAcknowledgements Introduction How to Use this Book Short Cuts to Identification Glossary Topographical Tips Moult and Ageing Species (22-375) General bibliography Specific bibliography Index

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Book Synopsis''I think that, if required on pain of death to name instantly the most perfect thing in the universe, I should risk my fate on a bird''s egg'' Thomas Wentworth Higginson, 1862How are eggs of different shapes made, and why are they the shape they are? When does the shell of an egg harden? Why do some eggs contain two yolks? How are the colours and patterns of an eggshell created, and why do they vary? And which end of an egg is laid first the blunt end or the pointy end?These are just some of the questions A Bird's Egg answers, as the journey of a bird's egg from creation and fertilisation to its eventual hatching is examined, with current scientific knowledge placed within an historical context. Beginning with an examination of the stunning eggs of the guillemot, each of which is so variable in pattern and colour that no two are ever the same, acclaimed ornithologist Tim Birkhead then looks at the eggs of hens, cuckoos and many other birds, revealing weird and wonderful facts Trade ReviewThe title is also a perfect description of the book itself - full of wonder and surprise and beautifully written -- Nick Davies, author of CuckooBirkhead’s approach to writing – hard, clear sentences; deep, revelatory looking – has the same effect as his microscope, bringing objects to light that were previously hidden, making us see the familiar with new eyes … After reading The Most Perfect Thing, you’ll never dip your morning soldiers without a shiver of wonder at the complexity and resourcefulness of the humble egg. -- Alex Preston * Observer *Eye-opening … Thoroughly engaging, it also gives us a thrilling sense of the vast, unmapped territories that lie beyond, waiting to be discovered * Sunday Times *Superb ... like having the top of your own head lifted off and its contents deliciously stirred: no one after reading this book could think it was possible to know too much, no one could think science removes us from feeling * Observer *What Birkhead does is show to anyone interested in nature why any such object is a source of wonder and fascination … Innovative work. Birkhead has made birds’ eggs interesting again, by giving us a new way of looking at them: not as commodities to be drooled over and collected, but as wonders of natural science … Birkhead answers all the basic questions with panache, but other, stranger facts caught my imagination even more … Yet it is the incredible mechanisms of the life-support system, which Birkhead lays bare with perfect clarity, that are the most wondrous -- Michael McCarthy * Independent *Quirky and revealing … Many fascinating facts … Birkhead writes in a jaunty and compelling style, and is not afraid to deal head-on with the politics of eggs … This book is illustrated with a fine selection of photographs showing the extraordinary variety of shapes, sizes and colours of eggs … Tim Birkhead is one of Britain’s leading zoologists, yet he skilfully bridges the gap between scientists and non-scientists … Impressive – an important contribution to our understanding of the world around us, and its extraordinary natural wonders -- Stephen Moss * Daily Mail *Birkhead has made birds’ eggs interesting again, by giving us a new way of looking at them: not as commodities to be drooled over and collected, but as wonders of natural science * Independent *So full of fascinating facts. The author is to be congratulated on a major step forward in our understanding of eggs that in the past we just accepted and did not query. The reader will never look in eggs the same way again -- Ray Collier * Highland News Group *He takes us on an epic journey, from the outer shell of an egg to its genetic core … It is a voyage packed with astonishing details -- James Attlee * Independent *Justly acclaimed for his brilliance at explaining complex science in a beguilingly lively style … Though it is only April, I suspect that this beautifully written volume will end up the best bird book of 2016 * BBC Wildlife *Excellent … the author is exceptionally versed in the literature on eggs, from speculative 17th-century texts to the sprawling data pumped out by the poultry industry today * Wall Street Journal *Anyone drawn to the natural sciences will relish it … There are curiosities at every stage * Spectator *A wonderful insight into one of nature’s most fascinating processes * Countryside Photographer *A text that bubbles with enthusiasm ... A book that will keep you enthralled from your morning egg to your evening quiche. A delight * New Scientist *Anyone drawn to the natural sciences will relish it … The story of learning delights Birkhead as much as our current accumulation … Birkhead’s telling is joyful -- Horatio Clare * Spectator *Superb … an enthralling, immensely readable book that combines deep scientific knowledge, lightly worn, with an awareness of history and a refreshing willingness to give the early pioneers of British ornithology – notably Francis Willoughby and John Ray – their due -- Nigel Andrew * Literary Review *Birkhead’s enthusiasm for this “everyday miracle of nature” is infectious and his erudition lightly worn … A magical account * Times Literary Supplement *A delightful blend of amazing facts and hard science. You’ll never look at a chicken in quite the same way again -- Stephen Moss * Guardian *From the handsome coloured pictures to the fascinating details about the sex life of birds, this is that rare thing: a scientific book to delight the general reader -- Books of the Year * Daily Mail *I cannot think of a science book that is better written -- John Lewis-Stempel * The Times *

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Book SynopsisSwifts live almost entirely in the air.They eat, drink, sleep, mate and gather their nesting materials on the wing, fly thousands of miles across the world, navigating their way around storms, never lighting on tree, cliff or ground, until they return home with the summer.Sarah Gibson has written a fascinating story of discovery, exploring what is known about these mysterious birds, their ancient ancestry and how they have been regarded through history.But the swifts are in real danger: often unintentionally, we are sealing our homes against wildlife of any kind.Cracks, gaps and crevices which for thousands of years have offered nesting space in buildings, are being closed off, while new housing rarely offers entry holes for nesting birds.Loss of breeding places is considered to be a significant factor in the steep decline of these birds over the last twenty years.Thankfully, there are people in the UK and across Europe striving to ensure a future for swifts. Their actions and stories Trade Review‘The moving tale of this ancient, mysterious bird’ RSPB’s Nature’s Home ‘lf you love swifts, this is the book for you. It's full of facts not likely to be found elsewhere.’ John Miles, Birdwatching magazine ‘[Swifts and Us] is an excellent introduction to our current state of knowledge of the European Swift and its interactions with people.’ British Ornithologists’ Union

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Book SynopsisMore than 600 lush, stunning photos grace this comprehensive handbook to the birdlife of the Mid-Atlantic region. A Great Blue Heron wades in the shallows of the Potomac River, scanning for unsuspecting prey. Sunlight turns the water translucent as a small school of fish rises to the water's surface. The heron strikes and moments later is swallowing its quarrypredation in action! This handsome Great Blue Heron is but one of the more than 400 bird species found in Delaware, Maryland, and the District of Columbia. It shares the mid-Atlantic with kingfishers, eagles, mergansers, wood warblers, and many more. Exploring backyard birds, birds of prey, and birds of the open ocean, Smithsonian ornithologist Bruce Beehler and premier nature photographer Middleton Evans have crafted a comprehensive volume unparalleled in its beauty and captivating storytelling. Birds of Maryland, Delaware, and the District of Columbia invites readers to experience the birds' lives as they live them: where they nest, how they forage, their various behaviors, and the natural environments they need to survive. Beehler offers practical advice on bird-watching, including how to find, attract, and even garden for birds, as well as the best places to see them in season. He also discusses the best birding apps, websites, and gear; provides advice on planning a birding field trip; and recommends ornithological institutions that will help you cultivate a lifelong birding hobby. Finally, Beehler challenges the reader to think about conservation efforts to preserve local bird populations. With striking color photographs of more than 400 species, this book is a bonanza for nature lovers. A wealth of images immerse the reader in the world of these wonderful creatures. Marvel at the majesty of Ospreys, navigate the ocean with storm-petrels, and nest with Mourning Doves, all while learning about the richness of the birds' lives, the complexities of their habits, and how we can help keep their populations vibrant and aloft for generations to come.Trade ReviewIf you've never been able to fully appreciate the red poll, phoebe, towhee or great crested flycatcher, you might derive hours of pleasure from a new book from Johns Hopkins University Press, Birds of Maryland, Delaware and the District of Columbia. It's the size of a coffee table book and looks at first like one, heavily dependent on photographs. But it's far more than that. Part field guide, part birding atlas, part conservationist pleading, it is nearly 500 pages of photos by Middleton Evans and prose by ornithologist Bruce Beehler. It comes with charts, checklists and maps of birding hot spots . . . I can't imagine a more complete record of the birds of our region. It's an inspiration for anyone who has thought about — but never got around to — becoming a birder . . . The Beehler-Evans book is timely and important. It's an impressive accounting of what we have and what we could lose if we don't do more — and fast — to counter the effects of human behavior.—Dan Rodricks, Baltimore SunThis magnificent large-format guide to the local birds of Maryland, D.C. and Delaware is a treasure trove of practical information. More than 70 of the 684 color photographs are full-page . . . Give Birds of Maryland, Delaware, and the District of Columbia as a gift and encourage a hobby that will be transformative. Experience the beauty that awaits those who venture outdoors with discerning eyes and sensitive ears.—Dinah Rokach, The BeaconTable of ContentsForeword, by Chandler S. Robbins Acknowledgments Terms, Abbreviations, and AcronymsPart I. Introduction 1. Appreciating Our Birdlife and the Gentle Art of Birding 2. Natural Geography and Local Bird Provinces 3. The Birding Seasons4. Birding in Urban, Suburban, and Agricultural Landscapes5. The Gift of Wild Places6. Landscaping for Birds and the Environment7. Feeding the Birds8. Conserving Birds and Their HabitatsPart II. Bird Group Accounts The Waterbirds 9. The Waterfowl 10. Marsh and Wading Birds11. Coastal Waterbirds12. Shorebirds13. Birds of the Open Ocean The Landbirds 14. Birds of Prey 15. Birds of Countryside, Farm, and Field16. Aerial Feeders17. Neighborhood, Backyard, and Feeder Birds18. Sparrows and Their Terrestrial Allies19. Warblers and Look-alikes20. Orioles, Blackbirds, and Colorful Fruit- and Seed-eatersPart III. Birding Tools 21. Best Birding Apps and Websites22. Necessary Birding Gear23. Planning Your Birding Field Trip24. Important Institutions for Birds and Birding25. Key Birding and Ornithological ReferencesPart IV. Bird-Finding Guide 26. Photographic Atlas and Finding Guide27. Birds Rarely Recorded in the Region28. Coded Regional Checklist and Seasonal Occurrence Chart29. Best Birding LocalitiesContributors Photography Notes Addendum Index

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Book SynopsisWriter, editor, artist, and identification expert, Rob Hume is highly adept at penning detailed identification notes for rarity watchers yet is also skilled at providing interesting descriptions for armchair birdwatchers. He is a lifelong birdwatcher who worked for the RSPB for over 30 years and edited the RSPB's award-winning Birds magazine.

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Book SynopsisThe definitive photographic guide to the fantastic birds of Florida. Stretching from temperate North America through the central highlands and vast Everglades wetlands of the peninsula and beyond to its Caribbean Keys, Florida is a great place to go birding at any time of the year. Roseate Spoonbills and Mangrove Cuckoo add a tropical flavour to its rich avifauna; woodland and scrub specialities include Red-cockaded Woodpecker and Florida Scrub-jay, while birds such as Snail Kites soaring over marshes and Snowy Plovers on the mudflats are high on any birder''s wish-list. Vast numbers of migrants such as warblers, vireos, and flycatchers passing through each fall and spring add to the spectacle. This book by biologist and wildlife photographer Kirsten Hines will help you identify more than 300 of Florida''s regularly occurring species, including breeding birds, those on passage, and those wintering. Concise text for each species includes informat

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Book SynopsisThe ideal portable companion, the world-renowned Collins Gem series returns with a fresh new look and updated material.This is the perfect pocket guide for keen birdwatchers and nature enthusiasts to identify the diverse range of birds that inhabit their gardens.Authoritative text and beautiful photographs show the distinguishing features of each bird, including information on each species'' feeding, behavioural habits, breeding, voice and population. An extensive introduction provides information on nesting sites, water, pests and predators.This new edition builds on the strengths of the unrivalled original, covering all birds most likely to be found in our gardens.

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Book SynopsisEastern Africa is becoming an increasingly popular destination for people who want to see first-hand the abundant widlife of this vast continent.Birds of Eastern Africa' is the only field guide to feature over 450 species found in Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, Ethiopia and Somalia (including Socotra Island).Including full colour illustrations of each bird, key features on habitat, songs and calls, and distribution maps for each species, this guide contains all the information needed to quickly identify the birds found in this vast region.Comprehensive and easy-to-use, this book is a must for all those visiting the region.

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Book SynopsisIn a unique new collaboration, Collins have paired up with the respected British Trust for Ornithology, bringing together the most authoritative and up-to-date information in this new field guide to the common birds of Britain and Ireland.This unique new identification guide features all of the birds that have occurred five or more times in Britain and Ireland, including all species that breed regularly in the region, plus those that winter here, or occur as common passage migrants.The book has been written and illustrated as much with the beginner in mind as the experienced birdwatcher. Designed to be used in the field, the text and photographs describe and illustrate the key features needed to identify a species with confidence, and to separate it from similar, or confusion', species. As a general rule, the species accounts follow the taxonomic running order provided by the British Ornithologist's Union (BOU). But for the benefit of the reader, in some instances the running order hasTrade ReviewPraise for Paul Sterry’s previous titles: 'Wonderfully descriptive photographs' BBC Wildlife ‘Whether you are a keen amateur or someone with a passing interest, this book will satisfy your needs.’ The Sea 'Packs in lots of well-chosen detail in compact form' British Wildlife ‘A bookshelf essential’ The Field

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Book SynopsisFocuses a razor light on the plight of one of our most iconic birds. Inspirational!' Tim BirkheadCurlews are Britain's largest wading bird, known for their evocative calls which embody wild places; they provoke a range of emotions that many have expressed in poetry, art and music.A bird stands alone on the edge of a mudflat. Its silhouette is unmistakable. A plump body sits atop stilty legs. The long neck arcs into a small head, which tapers further into a long curved bill. The smooth, convex outlines of this curlew are alluring. They touch some ancestral liking we all have for shapes that are round and smooth.Over the last 20 years numbers in the UK have halved; the Eurasian Curlew is one of our most endangered birds. With a quarter of the world population breeding in the UK and Ireland, this is nothing short of a disaster. The curlew is showing all the signs of being the next Great Auk.In Curlew Moon, Mary Colwell takes us on a 500-mile journey on foot from the west coast of Ireland Trade Review‘Focuses a razor light on the plight of one of our most iconic birds. Inspirational!’ Tim Birkhead ‘Curlew Moon is a book with an urgent and important message’ Times Literary Supplement ‘Well-crafted and thoughtful … meticulously researched and charmingly illustrated’ Country Life ‘Readable, highly informed and heartfelt … Colwell has lovely poetic insights’ Mark Cocker, Spectator ‘An odyssey for an age of extinction’ Guardian ‘A fascinating blend of Curlews, agricultural history, culture and poetry – written beautifully’ Graham Appleton, Wadertales blog

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Book SynopsisSwifts live almost entirely in the air.They eat, drink, sleep, mate and gather their nesting materials on the wing, fly thousands of miles across the world, navigating their way around storms, never lighting on tree, cliff or ground, until they return home with the summer.Sarah Gibson has written a fascinating story of discovery, exploring what is known about these mysterious birds, their ancient ancestry and how they have been regarded through history.But the swifts are in real danger: often unintentionally, we are sealing our homes against wildlife of any kind.Cracks, gaps and crevices which for thousands of years have offered nesting space in buildings, are being closed off, while new housing rarely offers entry holes for nesting birds.Loss of breeding places is considered to be a significant factor in the steep decline of these birds over the last twenty years.Thankfully, there are people in the UK and across Europe striving to ensure a future for swifts. Their actions and stories Trade Review‘The moving tale of this ancient, mysterious bird’ RSPB’s Nature’s Home ‘lf you love swifts, this is the book for you. It's full of facts not likely to be found elsewhere.’ John Miles, Birdwatching magazine ‘[Swifts and Us] is an excellent introduction to our current state of knowledge of the European Swift and its interactions with people.’ British Ornithologists’ Union

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Book SynopsisBritain's gardens are a vast, living landscape and the home to hundreds of species of birds. Learn to pay attention to these visitors to your own garden or local park and you'll have a front-row seat to the unfolding drama that is the garden bird's year.As dawn breaks across your back garden, if you were paying attention, you would notice that the robin and the blackbird are always the first birds to arrive. These ground hunters have large eyes, so don't mind the dim light of the early morning. And that's just the beginning of what you can learn watching your own back garden. Ornithologist Mike Toms has spent a year avidly observing his own garden, and the result is a comprehensive picture of the lives of garden birds.From the crowded yet quiet January garden populated by migratory fieldfares and bramblings, to the riotous gardens of spring, filled with songbirds competing for mates, the garden ecosystem changes throughout the year. Learn to spot these changes, to greet the arrival of Trade ReviewPraise for New Naturalist Garden Birds: ‘Excellent’ Chris Packham Praise for New Naturalist Owls by Mike Toms: ‘Seventy years in the making, this celebration of our native owls is a fine addition to a glory of British publishing – the New Naturalist series’ The Sunday Times ‘It’s an excellent read and should be on every owl enthusiast’s bookshelf, not to mention those of collectors of this great series’ Birdwatching magazine ‘Fabulous … [New Naturalist Owls] brings the natural world to a wide audience in simple unfussy but engaging prose … The result is the best and most detailed published account of the British owl species ever produced … One of the joys of the book is that Toms leaves no stone unturned to narrate the birds’ full biography’ Mark Cocker, Eastern Daily Press

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Book SynopsisTable of ContentsPart I. Undergirding themes 1. Importance of physiology of birds 2. Avian genomics 3. Transcriptomics of physiological systems 4. Avian Proteomics 5. Avian metabolomics 6. Mitochondrial physiology 7. Evolution of birds 8. Domestication of poultry Part II. Sensory biology and nervous system theme 9. The avian somatosensory system: a comparative view 10. Avian Vision 11. Avian Hearing 12. Avian olfaction and other chemical reception (excluding taste) 13. Avian taste reception 14. Avian nociception and pain 15. Magnetoreception and its use for long distance migration 16. Avian subpallium and autonomic nervous system Part III. Organ system theme 17. Blood 18. The cardiovascular system 19. Osmoregulatory systems of birds 20. Respiration 21. Gastrointestinal anatomy and physiology 21A. Intestinal villi and crypt organization and function 22. Bone 23. Skeletal muscle 24. The avian immune system Part IV. Metabolism theme 25. Carbohydrate metabolism 26. Adipose tissue and lipid metabolism 27. Protein metabolism 28. Food intake regulation Part V. Endocrine theme 29. Overview of avian neuropeptides and peptides 30. Pituitary gland 31. Thyroids 32. The role of hormones in the regulation of bone turnover and eggshell calcification 33. Adrenals Rocco 34. Endocrine pancreas Part VI. Reproductive theme 35. Reproduction in the female 36. Reproduction in the male 37. The physiology of the avian embryo Part VI. Cross-cutting themes 38. Stress Eco-physiology 39. Physiology of welfare/wellbeing of poultry 40. Reproductive Behavior 41. Physiology of growth 42. Circadian rhythms 43. Circannual cycles and photoperiodism 44. Annual cycles 45. Regulation of body temperature: patterns and processes 46. Flight 47. Physiological challenges of migration 48. Actions of toxicants and endocrine-disrupting chemicals in birds

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Book SynopsisThe richness and variety of birdsong is both a scientific mystery and a source of wonder. David Rothenberg has a unique approach to this fascinating subject, combining the latest scientific research with a deep understanding of musical beauty and form. Can the standard explanations of territoriality or sexual selection account for so many species'' astonishing inventiveness and devotion to singing? Whether playing the clarinet with the white-crested laughing thrush in Pittsburgh or jamming in the Australian winter breeding grounds of the Albert''s lyrebird, Rothenberg touches the heart and soul of birdsong, offering an intimate look at the most lovely of natural phenomena.

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Book SynopsisThe Times Nature Book of the Year 2020Winner of the PEN/E.O. Wilson Literary Science Writing Award A Finalist for the Stanford Dolman Travel Book of the Year Award''Remarkable. If only every endangered species had a guardian angel as impassioned, courageous and pragmatic as Jonathan Slaght'' Isabella Tree, author of Wilding''Gripping'' Dave Goulson, author of A Sting in the TalePrimorye, a remote forested region near to where Russia, China and North Korea meet in a tangle of barbed wire, is the only place where brown bears, tigers and leopards co-exist. It is also home to one of nature''s rarest birds, the Blakiston''s fish owl. A chance encounter with this huge, strange bird was to change wildlife researcher Jonathan C. Slaght''s life beyond measure.This is the story of Slaght''s quest to safeguard the elusive owl from extinction. During months-long journeys covering thousands of miles, he has pursued it through its forbidding territory. He has spent time with the Russians who struggle on in the harsh conditions of the taiga forest. And he has observed how Russia''s logging interests and evolving fortunes present new threats to the owl''s survival. Preserving its habitats will secure the forest for future generations, both animal and human - but can this battle be won? Exhilarating and clear-sighted, Owls of the Eastern Ice is an impassioned reflection on our relationship with the natural world and on what it means to devote one''s career to a single pursuit.''Slaght makes the people, wildlife and landscape of the Russian Far East come alive. I haven''t enjoyed a book on remote Russia as much as this since Ian Frazier''s Travels in Siberia'' Sophy Roberts, author of The Lost Pianos of Siberia''True epic. Powerful, passionate'' Charles Foster, author of Being a BeastTrade ReviewSlaght has a rare gift for startling evocations of the natural world...A refreshingly old-school, tautly strung adventure -- Helen Macdonald * Guardian *Excellent...The brutality of human habitation is counterpoised with the brutality of the natural world. The reader becomes, like the author, "stunned by the quiet violence of this place." -- Clement Knox * The Times *This is a tale of man's endurance, determination and perseverance in search of this elusive and beautiful creature ... wonderful -- Bill BaileyThe remarkable story of one man's heroic quest to save the astonishing fish owl. If only every endangered species had a guardian angel as impassioned, courageous and pragmatic as Jonathan Slaght. -- Isabella Tree, author of WildingA gripping account of the author's obsessive quest to save one of the world's most magnificent birds. -- Dave Goulson, Professor of Biology at the University of Sussex and author of A Sting in the TaleA vivid dispatch from the front line of conservation, Owls of the Eastern Ice is engrossing and uplifting; an inspiring story of vital work undertaken with utter determination in wild and distant places. -- Horatio Clare, author of Orison for a CurlewSlaght's story reveals the patience and determination of a true conservationist. And the ears and eyes of a poet. Above all, he makes the people, wildlife and landscape of the Russian Far East come alive for armchair travellers. I haven't enjoyed a book on remote Russia as much as this since Ian Frazier's Travels in Siberia -- Sophy Roberts, author of The Lost Pianos of SiberiaTrue epic. A powerful, passionate and highly readable reflection on the wildness both inside us and out there in the forest. -- Charles Foster, author of Being a BeastA fascinating account of one man's quest to conserve the magnificent fish owl of Eastern Asia, this is a book that feels both urgent and relevant. -- Christopher Skaife, author of The RavenmasterFrom the very first pages, Slaght grips readers with vivid language and tight storytelling ... The cast of characters he brings to life - both human and avian - illuminate the delicate symbiosis of the natural world and shed a welcome light on the remarkable creatures that are too little known. Top-notch nature writing in service of a magnificent, vulnerable creature. * Kirkus *A detailed and thrilling account of efforts to conserve an endangered species. . . Slaght evinces humor, tirelessness, and dedication in relating the hard and crucial work of conservation. Readers will be drawn to this exciting chronicle of science and adventure, a demonstration that wilderness can still be found. * Publishers Weekly *A thoroughly engaging read which will appeal both to those specifically interested in owls, as well as those with a wider interest in the natural world. Will make armchair and keyboard conservationists envious and uncomfortable in equal measures -- John Gray, The International Owl SocietyThis is an epic tale of hangovers, violence and obsessive ornithology. It is a superb depiction of a far-flung corner of the world where bears, tigers and men battle with relentless environment and each other. It is a powerful antidote to saccharine nature writing; Slaght encounters such a host of pickled gritty characters that you could imagine the Coen brothers adapting it for the screen. -- The Times Nature Book of the YearWonderful... If [COP26 organisers] picked it up in the jet-lagged early hours they might find their dreams haunted, as mine have been, by huge, endangered owls swooping low through their subconscious, reminding them what survival might mean -- Tim Adams * Guardian *

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Book SynopsisA lyrical celebration of birdsong, and the rekindling of a deep passion for nature.''At this time of year, blackbirds never simply fly: instead, like reluctantly retired officers, they''re always on manoeuvres, and it''s easy to see from their constant agitation that for them every flower bed is a bunker, every shed a redoubt and every hedge-bottom a potential place of ambush''As the world went silent in lockdown, something else happened; for the first time, many of us started becoming more aware of the spring sounds of the birds around us. Birdsong in a Time of Silence is a lyrical, uplifting reflection on these sounds and what they mean to us.From a portrait of the blackbird - most prominent and articulate of the early spring singers - to explorations of how birds sing, the science behind their choice of song and nest-sites, and the varied meanings that people have brought to and taken from birdsong, this book ultimately shows that natural history and human history cannot be separated. It is the story of a collective reawakening brought on by the strangest of springs.Trade ReviewA delightful meditation on the wonder of birdsong, and how it helped us at a moment of crisis -- Stephen MossThis is a joyous and profound meditation on birdsong and what it means to us, a book that brings to life an essential part of the natural world that most of us take so much for granted that we scarcely notice it -- PD Smith * Guardian (Book of the Day) *Lovatt's approach is fresh, joyful and uncomplicated. Birdsong in a Time of Silence recalls a spring we will never forget but also reminds us that the pandemic grew out of our disregard for nature, and could presage ecological disaster -- Nicola Chester * Financial Times *This is a lyrical, exhilarating work of utter loveliness * Saga *Beautifully observed... exhilaratingly original... [Written with] exquisite prose that soars as high as his beloved birds -- Bel Mooney * Daily Mail *

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Book SynopsisChina covers about 7% of the earth''s land surface and encompasses a hugely diverse range of habitats. As a result, it boasts a rich and diverse avifauna, including some of the most spectacular and fascinating birds to be found anywhere in the world. Building on the enormous popularity and reputation of the original A Field Guide to the Birds of China (2000), John MacKinnon''s fully updated and refreshed work remains a truly comprehensive, taxonomically modern, fully illustrated, and authoritative field guide. 1484 bird species are richly illustrated in 164 annotated colour plates, which are closely integrated with up-to-date colour distribution maps, QR codes providing easy access to birdcalls, IUCN Red List status indicators and new, concise descriptions. These descriptions feature key observations as well as conveying crucial changes to species distributions resulting from climate change and landscape transformation. Guide to the Birds of China will appeal to an international and grTrade Reviewuide to the Birds of China will appeal to an international and growing audience of professional and amateur ornithologists and birding enthusiasts, academic researchers and students, wildlife photographers, and conservationists ... Currently the best available English language guide to the birds of China. * Ian Paulsen, THE BIRDBOOKER REPORT *Table of ContentsPreface Acknowledgements Introduction to the Region A Brief History of Ornithology in China Practical Tips for Birdwatching Anatomy and Plumage of a Bird Glossary of Terms Used Species Descriptions, Maps and Plates Non-Passerines Passerines Appendices Additional Birds Selected Bibliography

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Book SynopsisFeral pigeons have developed from domestic pigeons, but are not just domestic pigeons that live in the wild. This book focuses on population biology and behavioural ecology of feral pigeons, and includes a listing of primary references in the scholarly literature.Trade ReviewThere is much interesting information about this very successful bird in this book. Highly recommended. * Donald S. Heintzelman, Wildlife Activist, No. 25, December 1995 *the most comprehensive assemblage of information on the biology of feral pigeons to date ... The authors provide an impressive array of data concerning the origin and evolution of feral pigeons. The bibliography is extensive and includes eastern European as well as other non-English language citations. * IBIS *a thorough academic text investigating most aspects of feral pigeons ... An indispensable guide to any ornithologist intending to study feral pigeons seriously ... I found the volume fascinating in places and it gave me a new insight into an everyday bird which affords easy study at close quarters. * Neil Anderson, The London Naturalist, No. 76, 1997 *Table of ContentsPART I: HISTORY AND SYSTEMATIC BIOLOGY ; PART II: REPRODUCTIVE BIOLOGY AND DIET ; PART III: PLUMAGE AND FLIGHT ; PART IV: BEHAVIOR ; PART V: POPULATION STUDIES ; PART IV: SOME ENVIRONMENTAL CONCERNS ; PART VII: PEOPLE AND PIGEONS

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Book SynopsisThis is an account of studies of the function and evolution of colorful plumage in the House Finch. It is also an engaging study on the evolution of sexual selection in birds and a lively portrait of the challenges and constraints of experimental design facing any field investigator working with animal behavior. Part I sets the stage for modern studies of the function of plumage coloration with a review of the nineteenth and beginning of the twentieth centuries. Part II focuses on the proximate control and present function of plumage coloration. Part III takes a more explicitly evolutionary approach to the study of plumage coloration using biogeography and phylogeny to test hypotheses for why specific forms of plumage color display have evolved. It concludes with an account of comparative studies that have been conducted in the House Finch and other cardueline finches and the insight these studies have provided on the evolution of carotenoid-based ornamental coloration.Trade ReviewHill's book is, thus far, probably the most complete study of the function and control of plumage pigmentation in a single bird species. It was an easy read because of Hill's ability to write clearly and creatively, and to present ideas in a logical order. * Bird Study *Geoff Hill shows just how valuable it is to tackle a topic from many directions and to stick at it: new research avenues always emerge ... in this book you will find him fairly open-minded and receptive to a multifactorial explanation. A very good read. * Ibis *Table of ContentsPart 1: Prelude ; 1. Darwinism and Wallacism: A Brief Account of the Long History of the Study of Plumage Coloration ; 2. A Red Bird in a Brown Bag: An Introduction to the House Finch ; 3. In the Eye of the Beholder: Color Vision and the Quantification of Colour ; Part 2: The Proximate Control and Function of Red Plumage ; 4. You Are What You Eat: Plumage Pigments and Carotenoid Physiology ; 5. A Matter of Condition: The Effect of Environment on Plumage Coloration ; 6. Darwin Vindicated: Female Choice and Sexual Selection in the House Finch ; 7. Fine Fathers and Good Genes: The Direct and Indirect benefits of female choice ; 8. Studs, Duds, and Studly Duds: Plumage Coloration, Hormones, and Dominance ; 9. The Feeling's Mutual: Female Plumage Coloration and Male Mate Choice ; Part 3: Biogeography and the Evolution of Colorful Plumage ; 10. From the Halls of Montezuma, to the Shores of Tripoli (New York): Populations, Subspecies, and Geographic Variation in Ornamental Coloration ; 11. Why Red?: The Evolution of Color Display ; Epilogue ; Glossary

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Book SynopsisVertebrate Life distills the necessary information from vertebrate anatomy, physiology, ecology, and behavioral studies and then helps students see important connections across levels of biological scale. The result is students come to understand how organisms function effectively in their environments and how lineages of organisms change through evolutionary time. Processing complex detailed information about expansive phylogenies and diverse anatomies can be difficult for even the most motivated students, and Vertebrate Life addresses this challenge by combining appropriately-detailed, clearly-written text with outstanding phylogenies and figures, making it a thorough and engaging reference for students and instructors alike. The text''s impressive illustration program helps students visualize complex concepts, allowing them to parse difficult anatomical information. The 11th edition will have an upgraded illustration program with several new and revised figures, including layered figures presented in the new enhanced eBook.Trade Review<"I really like the summary component of Pough et al. This will be extremely helpful for students to focus on the big picture points moving forward.>" -Carly Anne York, Lenoir-Rhyne University<"I think Vertebrate Life has over many iterations of deeply scholarly editions has achieved an excellent treatment of the comparative evolution of adaptive form and function across the tree of vertebrate life. It excels at placing the comparative morphology and physiology of major vertebrate lineages into a clear phylogenetic context with outstanding integration of both extinct and extant forms through the history of space and time on Earth since the early Paleozoic. [In the upcoming edition,] I like the continued expansion to more mixed media illustrations. The increased use of multiple colors in displays and use of more photographs to complement drawn scientific illustrations continues to move in a productive direction for this chapter, and this new edition in general.>" -Andrew M. Shedlock, University of Charleston<"Vertebrate Life really has been the top undergraduate textbook for a survey course on the evolution and form and function of vertebrate animals, for the better part of two decades. The new edition [has] upped the ante a bit in terms of clarity and coverage.>" -Jonathan Weinbaum, Southern Connecticut State University<"[The new edition of Vertebrate Life] updates a previous edition of an excellent text with better organization and new information. [It has a] balance between presenting interesting information without overloading detail.>" -Udo Savalli, Arizona State University<"Pough et al. has a wonderful variety of species that the students will find compelling. It is written in a very accessible writing style, [with a variety of] engaging species examples. The figures will greatly enhance student understanding with well-chosen and interesting examples.>" -Claire Kendal-Wright, Chaminade UniversityTable of ContentsPreface xv Chapter 1 Diversity, Classification, and Evolution of Vertebrates 1.1 The Vertebrate Story --Binominal nomenclature --Extant vertebrate groups 1.2 Phylogenetic Systematics 1.3 Applying Phylogenetic Criteria --Evaluating possible phylogenies --Molecules and morphology --The problem of dating --Dagger (DR) convention adopted in this book 1.4 Using Phylogenetic Trees --Extant phylogenetic brackets --Paraphyly --Crown and stem groups 1.5 Genetic Mechanisms of Evolutionary Change --Phenotypes and fitness --Developmental regulatory genes 1.6 Epigenetic Effects 1.7 Earth History and Vertebrate Evolution Chapter 2 What Is a Vertebrate?? 2.1 Vertebrates in Relation to Other Animals? 2.2 Characteristics of Chordates? --Chordate origins and evolution? --Extant nonvertebrate chordates? 2.3 What Distinguishes a Vertebrate?? 2.4 Vertebrate Embryonic Development? --Development of the body? --Development of the pharyngeal region? --Development of the brain? --Other neurogenic tissues of vertebrates? 2.5 Vertebrate Tissues? --Adult tissue types --Mineralized tissues 2.6 Vertebrate Organ Systems --Integumentary system --Skeletal system --Muscular system --Nervous system and sense organs --Endocrine system --Respiratory system --Circulatory system --Digestive system --Excretory and reproductive systems Chapter 3 Jawless Vertebrates and the Origin of Gnathostomes 3.1 Earliest Evidence of Vertebrates --Enigmas: DRConodonts and DRTullimonstrum ---Early mineralized tissues --Environment of early vertebrate evolution 3.2 Cyclostomes: Extant Jawless Vertebrate --Characters of cyclostomes --Hagfishes: Myxiniformes --Lampreys: Petromyzontiformes 3.3 Jawless Osteognathostomes 3.4 Gnathostome Body Plan --Gnathostome skeletons --What about soft anatomical features? 3.5 Origin of Jaws --Hypotheses of jaw origins --Importance of the nose --Selective value of jaws 3.6 Origin of Paired Appendages --Fin development and the lateral somitic frontier --Advantages of fins 3.7 Extinct Paleozoic Jawed Fishes Chapter 4 Living in Water 4.1 Aquatic Environment --Obtaining oxygen from water using gill --Obtaining oxygen from air using lungs and other respiratory structure --Adjusting buoyancy 4.2 Sensory World of Aquatic Vertebrates --Vision --Chemosensation: Olfaction and taste --Detecting water displacement --Hearing and equilibrium --Electroreception and electrogenesis 4.3 Maintaining an Internal Environment --Nitrogenous wastes and kidney --Osmoregulation --Regulation of ions and body fluids 4.4 Osmoregulation in Different Environments --Marine cartilaginous fishes and coelacanths --Marine teleosts --Freshwater teleosts and lissamphibians --Euryhaline vertebrates Chapter 5 Geography and Ecology of the Paleozoic 5.1 Deep Time --The Precambrian world --The Paleozoic 5.2 Continental Geography --Continental drift and plate tectonics --Shifting continents of the Paleozoic --Shifting continents and changing climates 5.3 Paleozoic Climates 5.4 Paleozoic Ecosystems --Aquatic life --Terrestrial flora --Terrestrial fauna 5.5 Extinctions Chapter 6 Origin and Radiation of Chondrichthyans 6.1 Acanthodii 6.2 Chondrichthyes --Habitats and diversity --Placoid scales --Cartilaginous skeleton --Teeth and tooth plates --Jaws and jaw suspension --Internal fertilization and claspers --Distinctive soft tissue and physiological features 6.3 Euchondrocephali and Chimaeriformes --Biology of extant Chimaeriformes 6.4 Elasmobranchii, Euselachii, and Neoselachii --Selachii: Sharks --Batomorphi: Skates and rays 6.5 Biology of Neoselachii --Feeding --Bioluminescence and biofluorescence ---Hypoxia and the epaulette shark --Endothermal heterothermy --Swimming --Reproduction --Elasmobranch brains --Social networks and migration in sand tiger sharks 6.6 Declining Elasmobranch Populations --Conservation and sawfishes --Threats to chondrichthyans --Vulnerabilities of chondrichthyans --Ecological impacts of shark population declines --Policies to protect sharks Chapter 7 Origin of Osteichthyes and Radiation of Actinopterygian 7.1 Osteichthyes, Actinopterygii, and Sarcopterygi --Osteichthyan character --Fin adaptations --Other differences between actinopterygians and sarcopterygians 7.2 Actinopterygii: Basal Group --Polypteriformes --Acipenseriformes --Neopterygii: Holostei --Neopterygii: Teleoste 7.3 Characters of Teleostei 7.4 Teleostei: Basal Groups --Elopomorpha --Osteoglossomorpha --Otocephala --Basal euteleosts 7.5 Teleostei: Acanthopterygii --Basal acanthopterygians --Percomorph 7.6 Swimming and Hydrodynamics --Generating forward thrust --Modes of locomotion --Speed and drag --Steering, stopping, and staying in place 7.7 Reproduction and Development --Oviparity --Viviparity --Sex change in teleosts 7.8 Ecology of Marine Teleosts --Black-water diving and larval teleosts --The photic zone and its subdivisions --Coral reef fishes --Pelagic and deep-sea fishes Chapter 8 Sarcopterygians and the Origin of Tetrapods 8.1 Phylogenetic Concepts of Tetrapoda and Characters for Sarcopterygii 8.2 The Miguasha Lagerstätte and the

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Book SynopsisThis book sumarizes current scientific knowledge of the Australian Zebra Finch, a bird popular with scientists and hobbyists throughout the world. It builds up a complete picture of the biology of the species, integrating findings from the laboratory with those from the wild, with emphasis on behaviour and ecology.Trade ReviewThe text is large and readable. Each chapter is thoughtfully written and meticulously researched ... an essential reference for both the researcher and enthusiast alike. This book is sure to have popular appeal. As one who studies Zebra Finches, I will not be attempting any future research without first consulting this vital laboratory and field companion. * Jim Reynolds, IBIS, 1997 *This volume presents a comprehensive review of the behaviour and ecology of the zebra finch. * Biological Abstracts, vol.49, issue 8, August 1997 *Table of Contents1. Systematics and phylogeny ; 2. Distribution and habitat ; 3. Morphology, domestication, and moult ; 4. Feeding ecology ; 5. Drinking, water relations, and temperature regulation ; 6. Coloniality and breeding ecology ; 7. Breeding periodicity ; 8. Populations ; 9. Social and reproductive behaviour ; 10. Vocalizations ; 11. Song ; 12. Sexual selection and mate choice ; 13. Life history and adaptations ; Appendices ; References ; Index

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Book SynopsisSynthesises and analyses the masses of data on the behavioural ecology of harriers. This work offers a comparison of breeding systems among harriers in the northern and southern hemispheres, and includes a phylogeny of the harriers, based on DNA findings. It is illustrated with line drawings of these impressive birds.Trade Review... the book is remarkably compact, written in an engaging and easily accessible style, and features many beautiful line drawings by the authors twin brother, John ... We recommend that everyone with even a passing interest in how and why birds do what they do, as well as all those who take study of behaviour, ecology and evolution more seriously, should add this volume to their bookshelves....a book that is full of ideas and insight. * IBIS *Table of ContentsPreface ; 1. Introduction: Changing perspectives - from natural history to behavioural ecology ; 2. Evolution and peculiarities of the harriers ; 3. Aerial displays: Mate choice and reverse dimorphism ; 4. Of mice and harriers: Who wins the arms race? ; 5. Mating patterns: Polygyny and deception ; 6. Copulation patterns and sperm depletion ; 7. Sex ratio and egg size manipulation ; 8. Food and reproduction in the tropics ; 9. Clutch size and latitude ; 10. Synthesis ; References ; Index

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Book SynopsisEvolutionary biomechanics is the study of evolution through the analysis of biomechanical systems. Its unique advantage is the precision with which physical constraints and performance can be predicted from first principles. Instead of reviewing the entire breadth of the biomechanical literature, a few key examples are explored in depth as vehicles for discussing fundamental concepts, analytical techniques, and evolutionary theory. Each chapter develops a conceptual theme, developing the underlying theory and techniques required for analyses in evolutionary biomechanics. Examples from terrestrial biomechanics, metabolic scaling, and bird flight are used to analyse how physics constrains the design space that natural selection is free to explore, and how adaptive evolution finds solutions to the trade-offs between multiple complex conflicting performance objectives.Evolutionary Biomechanics is suitable for graduate level students and professional researchers in the fields of biomechanicTrade ReviewThis is a scholarly volume that approaches a challenging subject in a straightforward and rigorous manner, which is illuminating without being overpowering...ideal for students who want both depth and a fascinating context. * Ian Carter, The Biologist *This volume provides for all. ... This is a great volume for undergraduates or postdoctoral researchers. * Christian Laurent, Quarterly Review of Biology *Table of Contents1. Themes ; 2. Selection ; 3. Constraint ; 4. Scaling ; 5. Phylogeny ; 6. Form and function in flight ; 7. Adaptation in avian wing design ; 8. Trade-offs: selection, phylogeny and constraint

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Book SynopsisBirds have colonized almost every terrestrial habitat on the planet - from the poles to the tropics, and from deserts to high mountain tops. Ecological and Environmental Physiology of Birds focuses on our current understanding of the unique physiological characteristics of birds that are of particular interest to ornithologists, but also have a wider biological relevance. An introductory chapter covers the basic avian body plan and their still-enigmatic evolutionary history. The focus then shifts to a consideration of the essential components of that most fundamental of avian attributes: the ability to fly. The emphasis here is on feather evolution and development, flight energetics and aerodynamics, migration, and as a counterpoint, the curious secondary evolution of flightlessness that has occurred in several lineages. This sets the stage for subsequent chapters, which present specific physiological topics within a strongly ecological and environmental framework. These include gas exTrade ReviewThis book is a comprehensive monograph on all the aspects of the molecular reaction dynamics and is useful for all the specialists in physico-chemical and chemical fields. * Corina Cernatescu, IASI Polytechnic Magazine *Table of Contents1. Introduction - Blueprint of a Bird (Bauplan/Body plan) ; 2. General Physiological Principles ; 3. Physiological Bases of Fecundity/Longevity Tradeoffs ; 4. Adaptations: Obtaining and Processing Food ; 5. Adaptations: Living in Specific Environments ; 6. Adaptations: Neural and Sensory ; 7. Adaptations: Developmental Physiology ; 8. Approaches and Techniques ; 9. Conclusions and Future Directions ; References ; Index

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Book SynopsisBird flight has always intrigued mankind. This book provides an up to date account of our existing knowledge on the subject, as well as offering new insights and challenging some established views. A brief history of the science of flight introduces the basic physical principles governing aerial locomotion. A treatment of flight-related functional morphology concentrates on the difference in shape of the arm and hand part of the wings, on the structure and function of tails, and on the shape of the body. The anatomy and mechanical properties of feathers receive special attention. Aerodynamic principles used by birds are explained in theory by simply applying Newton''s laws, and in practice by showing the direction and velocity of the attached flow around an arm wing cross section and of the leading edge vortex flow above a hand wing. The Archaeopteryx fossils remain crucial in our understanding of the evolution of bird flight despite the recent discovery of a range of well-preserved anTrade Review...this is an expertly written introduction into all aspects of bird flight. What makes it even better is that Videler's narrative emphasis is not so much on the mechanical minutiae of avian flight, but rather on explaining and describing what makes it all work...His writing style, moreover, is enthusiastic and colourful. * PalArch's Journal of Vetebrate Palaeontology, 2007 *The strength of the book is its comprehensive coverage of the field...Videler tells us about old work that is still enlightening as well as about the newest and most fashionable research. * Ethology, 2006 *Videler is an enthusiast in every sense of the word, and this is a book for enthsiasts...a key achievement of Videler's book, in reviewing the current state of our knowledge, is to reveal how many lacunae remain. * Ibis *Regardless, the book does a splendid job of conveying the reasons for the author's entusiasm for studying avian flight...the book will serve as an excellent foundation for seminars for advanced undergraduates or graduates and as an essential motivational tool for all avian biologists. * JEB, Bret W. Tobalske, University of Portland *...the book is lucidly written, with clear explanations * British Birds, Vol 99 *Table of ContentsPreface ; 1. Acquisition of knowledge ; 2. The flight apparatus ; 3. Feathers for flight ; 4. Aerodynamics ; 5. Evolution of bird flight ; 6. Bird flight modes ; 7. The bird flight engine ; 8. Energy required for flight ; 9. Comparing the metabolic costs of flight

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Book SynopsisIslands with large colonies of seabirds are found throughout the globe. Seabird islands provide nesting and roosting sites for birds that forage at sea, deposit marine nutrients on land, and physically alter these islands. Habitats for numerous endemic and endangered animal and plant species, seabird islands are therefore biodiversity hotspots with high priority for conservation.Successful campaigns to eradicate predators (e.g., rats and cats) from seabird islands have been conducted worldwide. However, removal of predators will not necessarily lead to natural recovery of seabirds or other native species. Restoration of island ecosystems requires social acceptance of eradications, knowledge of how island food webs function, and a long-term commitment to measuring and assisting the recovery process. This book, written collaboratively by and for ecologists and resource managers, provides the first large-scale cross-system compilation, comparison, and synthesis of the ecology of seabird iTable of ContentsPREFACE; ACKNOWLEDGMENTS; PART I: NATURAL HISTORY OF SEABIRD ISLANDS; W.B. ANDERSON AND C.P.H. MULDER; J.L. SMITH, C.P.H. MULDER, AND J.C. ELLIS; D.R. TOWNS, G.V. BYRD, H.P. JONES, M.J. RAUZON, J.C. RUSSELL, AND C. WILCOX; D.R. DRAKE, T.W. BODEY, J.C. RUSSELL, D.R. TOWNS, M. NOGALES, AND L. RUFFINO; PART II: CROSS-SYSTEM COMPARISONS OF ISLAND ECOSYSTEMS; C.P.H. MULDER, H. JONES, K. KAMEDA, C. PALMBORG, S. SCHMIDT, J.C. ELLIS, J L. ORROCK, D.A. WAIT, D.A. WARDLE, L. YANG, H. YOUNG, D.A. CROLL, AND E. VIDAL; J.C. ELLIS, P.J. BELLINGHAM, E.K. CAMERON, D.A. CROLL, G.S. KOLB, C. KUEFFER, G.H. MITTELHAUSER, S. SCHMIDT, E. VIDAL, AND D.A. WAIT; G.S. KOLB, H.S. YOUNG, AND W.B. ANDERSON; H.S. YOUNG, L. HURREY, AND G.S. KOLB; J.C. RUSSELL; PART III: RESTORATION OF SEABIRD ISLANDS; P. DUNLEVY, S.E. EBBERT, J.C. RUSSELL, AND D.R. TOWNS; H. JONES, D.R. TOWNS, T. BODEY, C. MISKELLY, J.C. ELLIS, M. RAUZON, S. KRESS, AND M. MCKOWN; D.R. TOWNS, A. AGUIRRE MUNOZ, S.W. KRESS, P.J. HODUM, A.A. BURBIDGE, AND A. SAUNDERS; M.S. DURRETT AND C.P.H. MULDER; APPENDIX A: DESCRIPTIONS OF FOCAL ISLAND SYSTEMS; APPENDIX B: SEABIRD SPECIES; APPENDIX C: SEABIRD PREDATORS; GLOSSARY; INDEX

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Book SynopsisAntipredator Defenses in Birds and Mammals will be of interest to both specialists and general readers interested in ecological issues.

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Book SynopsisThis is the first volume to integrate information on ways in which the nervous and endocrine systems interact to mediate crucial aspects of reptile behavior. Although the authors pay particular attention to reproductive behavior, from initial recognition and evaluation of potential partners to decisions about reproduction, they also deal with other survival behaviors.Table of Contents1 The Intereaction of Hormones, Brain, and Behavior: An Emerging Discipline in Herpetology, David Crews and Carl Gans 2 Physiological Regulation of Sexual Behavior in Female Reptiles, Joan M. Whittier and Richard R. Tokarz 3 The Physiological Basis of Sexual Behavior in Male Reptiles, Michael C. Moore and Jonathan Lindzey 4 Reptilian Pheromones, Robert T. Mason 5 Endogenous Rhythms, Herbert Underwood 6 Reptilian Coloration and Behavior, William E. Cooper, Jr., and Neil Greenberg 7 Nasal Chemical Senses in Reptiles: Structure and Function, Mimi Halpern

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Book SynopsisAt birdfeeders and in backyards across North America, the dark-eyed junco, or snowbird, can be found foraging for its next meal. With an estimated population of at least 630 million, juncos inhabit forests, parks, and even suburban habitats, making them one of the continent's most abundant and easily observable songbirds. But while common and widespread, juncos also exhibit extraordinary diversity in color, shape, size, and behavior across their range, making them ideal study subjects for biologists interested in ecology and evolutionary diversification. Intended for scholars, citizen scientists, and amateur ornithologists, alike,Snowbirdsynthesizes decades of research from the diverse and talented researchers who study theJuncogenus. Though contributors approach their subject from a variety of perspectives, they share a common goal: elucidating the organismal and evolutionary processes by which animals adapt and diversify in response to environmental change. Placing special emphasis on the important role that underlying physiological, hormonal, and behavioral mechanisms play in these processes,Snowbirdnot only provides a definitive exploration of the junco's evolutionary history and behavioral and physiological diversity but also underscores the junco's continued importance as a model organism in a time of rapid global climate change. By merging often disparate biological fields,Snowbirdoffers biologists across disciplines an integrative framework for further research into adaptation, population divergence, and the formation of new species.

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Book SynopsisAt the center of Stefan Bargheer's account of bird watching, field ornithology, and nature conservation in Britain and Germany stands the question of how values change over time and how individuals develop moral commitments. Using life history data derived from written narratives and oral histories, Moral Entanglements follows the development of conservation from the point in time at which the greatest declines in bird life took place to the current efforts in large-scale biodiversity conservation and environmental policy within the European Union. While often depicted as the outcome of an environmental revolution that has taken place since the 1960s, Bargheer demonstrates to the contrary that the relevant practices and institutions that shape contemporary conservation have evolved gradually since the early nineteenth century. Moral Entanglements further shows that the practices and institutions in which bird conservation is entangled differ between the two countries. In Britain, birds

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Book SynopsisRothenberg takes us to Berlin’s urban landscape to discover and engage with one of nature’s most beautiful and celebrated sounds, the nightingale’s song.

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Book Synopsis

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Book Synopsis

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Book SynopsisProvides a comprehensive account of the energetics of birds and mammals. This title also provides an overview of thermal rates and explains how the basal rate of metabolism drives energy use, especially in extreme environments.Trade Review"This is a fascinating book and one that obviously represents a grand synthesis of a lifetime of data collection by the author. More than ever this type of synthesis is needed if conservation efforts are to move forward." (Terrie M. Williams, University of California, Santa Cruz)"

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Book SynopsisProvides a comprehensive account of the energetics of birds and mammals. This title also provides an overview of thermal rates and explains how the basal rate of metabolism drives energy use, especially in extreme environments.Trade Review"This is a fascinating book and one that obviously represents a grand synthesis of a lifetime of data collection by the author. More than ever this type of synthesis is needed if conservation efforts are to move forward." (Terrie M. Williams, University of California, Santa Cruz)"

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Book SynopsisWhether we live in cities, in the suburbs, or in the country, birds are ubituitous features of daily life, so much so that we often take them for granted. This account of the threats these species face presents a classification system and threat analysis for bird habitats in the United States.

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Book SynopsisTrade Review"A sumptuous coffee table book, stunningly beautiful in its many full-page reproductions. . . . Here is a book that will put readers in a celebratory mood and, with the rustling of each page, stir a sense of wonder."-- "Enterprise-Record" "Beginning in the seventeenth century with the Flemish baroque period and continuing to the present, this book is a treasure trove of beautiful artwork and beautiful birds. . . . Full-color reproductions (many full page), mostly of paintings, lead readers through a history of art and artwork and of how the Western world has viewed birds since the 1600s. The artists are grouped mostly by time period but also by theme, as exploration and the scientific age changed the nature of illustration and spurred public interest in the environment and bird watching. Most of the artists are British or American, with a handful of Continental Europeans and artists working in the colonial realms of the time. Several women artists are included, from Lady Elizabeth Symonds Gwillim (1763-1807) to Elizabeth Butterworth (1949-). . . . Recommended."-- "Choice" "Exquisite. . . . Ornithological gems such as Joseph Wolf's gorgeous Crimson-bellied Tragopan, Roger Tory Peterson's flock of flamingos in the Andes, and James Fenwick Lansdowne's rainbow-plumed Chinese pheasant reveal not only the sophistication of avian art, but the extravagant global variety of avian species."--Laurence A. Marschall "Natural History" "People have been trying to depict birds for 40,000 years, but Lederer suggests that their efforts really took flight some four-hundred years ago, in the work of Flemish artists such as Frans Snyders (Concert of Birds) and Carel Fabritius (The Goldfinch)."-- "Apollo" "Art history and the history of science intertwine in this beautiful tribute to the scientific illustration of birds."-- "American Scientist" (12/11/2019 12:00:00 AM) "[There is] a growing subgenre of books about birds and art. This a rather catchall category of how-to's, art/gift books, and scholarly titles such as the recently published The Art of the Bird. . . . But, it is an important one, since birding could not exist without art. It allows us to identify birds, appreciate finer details of their beauty and anatomical construction that we might otherwise overlook, respect their specific and adaptive habitats, and communicate their beauty and value to others."-- "10,000 Birds" "The Art of the Bird makes any bird painting aficionado yearn for more."-- "Wall Street Journal"

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