Zoology: birds (ornithology) Books

Book SynopsisThis site guide covers the counties of East Sussex, West Sussex and Surrey, including sites in southwest Greater London. From the heaths of Surrey to the chalky grassland of the North and South Downs, the great forests of the Weald and the headlands, shingle beaches and river valleys of England''s south coast, these three counties are a bird-rich part of the country, with perhaps the most diverse range of habitats in the country, and all within easy distance of London, the southwest part of which contains birding sites such as Barnes wetland centre.This new book by Matthew Phelps and Ed Stubbs is the definitive guide to the birding highlights of the region. It contains a comprehensive review of all the major sites, and many lesser-known ones, with maps, notes on access, and information on target species and when to visit. Where to Watch Birds in Surrey and Sussex is indispensable for any birder heading to this bird-rich region, or anyone in London who wTrade Review... A comprehensive celebration of an extraordinary and much under-rated region with lots to delight the birders mind. * KOS News *

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Book SynopsisThe ultimate field guide to birds of Madagascar, the Seychelles, Comoros and Mascarene Islands.The Malagasy region contains one of the most extraordinary concentrations of biodiversity in the world, and a diverse avifauna rich with exciting endemic taxa; birds such as vangas, mesites and asities live nowhere else. This guide covers the whole of the Malagasy region, which comprises both Madagascar and the various islands and archipelagos of the Indian Ocean including the Seychelles, Comoros and Mascarenes Mauritius, Réunion and Rodrigues all of which host their own endemics and large seabird colonies.Every species in the region is covered in full detail, with a colour distibution map for resident and migrant birds. All species are illustrated on a spectacular series of 124 colour plates by leading bird artists John Gale and Brian Small, with concise species text opposite the plates. The species are arranged to keep the key species of the various archipelagos together in sections.This major work of is a stunning combination of scholarship and beauty. Authoritative yet pocket-friendly, it''s an essential addition to the backpack of any visiting naturalist or birdwatcher, anywhere in the region.Trade ReviewI was fortunate to have a pre-publication copy on my recent trip to Madagascar. It's surely the best and most up-to-date bird field guide out there, with excellent discussions of topics beyond identification. Buy it and take it with you! * Robert. S. Ridgely, Rainforest Trust *Twitchers bound for... Madagascar can enjoy Helm Field Guides' new additions ... Helm's exquisite eye for detail and intricate illustrations - hitting that sweet spot between art and practicality - make these welcome additions. A must-have for any globetrotting birders. * Wanderlust *Table of ContentsAcknowledgements About this book The Malagasy Region and Its Birds Geography, Climate and Habitats Biogeography: Colonisation, Differentiation and Survival Endemic Families and Genera List of Bird Organisations Plate Section Part 1: Larger birds (non-passerines): Malagasy Region Part 2: Landbirds ('near-passerines' and passerines) Part 3: Vagrants: Malagasy region Appendix 1: Checklist of birds of the Malagasy region Appendix 2: A new classification of bird orders and families native to the Malagasy region References Index

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Book SynopsisFrom the bestselling author of The Robin, The Wren and The Twelve Birds of Christmas. With around 700,000 breeding pairs, the swallow is one of the most familiar birds in Britain. Though we consider the swallow to be 'our' bird, we also share this beloved creature with millions of others across the globe. Whilst we see it on a daily basis for half the year, the swallow then flies south to Africa, living on only in our memory in the long, dark winter.In The Swallow Stephen Moss documents a year of observing the swallow close to home and in the field to shed light on the secret life of this extraordinary bird. We trace the swallow's life cycle and journey, including the epic 12,000-mile round trip it takes every year, to enable it to enjoy a life of almost eternal sunshine, and the key part the swallow plays in our traditional and popular culture.With beautiful illustrations throughout, this captivating year-in-the-life biography reveals the hidden secrets of this charismatic and beautiful bird.PRAISE FOR STEPHEN MOSS: 'A superb naturalist and writer' Chris Packham'Inspired, friendly and blessed with apparently limitless knowledge' Peter Marren'Moss has carved out an enviable niche as a chronicler of the natural world' Daily MailTrade ReviewA delight * Choice *

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Book SynopsisThis is the first-time flexi-cover edition of this classic field guide, which is the definitive volume on the region''s birdlife.This award-winning book, which was first published in 2000, was fully updated in 2009 to include 76 new species for the region that were recent new discoveries for science, taxonomic ''splits'' or had been recorded there for the first time.This comprehensive field guide to the birds of South-East Asia covers all of the 1,327 species recorded in the region and each has been fully illustrated. This edition has many new artworks and 16 more colour plates than the original guide, and the text has been meticulously updated to take in all the most recent information.The vast diversity of South-East Asian birdlife attracts increasing numbers of birdwatchers each year. Covering Thailand, Vietnam, Singapore, Peninsular Malaysia, Myanmar, Laos and Cambodia, this unique and indispensable guide covers in detail the identification, voice, breeding, status, habitat Table of ContentsIntroduction Avian topography Plates and species accounts Glossary Selected bibliography Index Thai Index Ornithological regions in Thailandend paper

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Book SynopsisWhat is a bird? To answer that, we must understand how birds are different from all other living things and how they fit into the diversity of life on Earth.This excellent RSPB guide to bird anatomy looks at the avian body, system by system, how it evolved, and how it functions. Chapters explore traits that are unique to birds, including their remarkable one-way breathing cycle, their trimmed-down skeleton, how feathers permit flight, provide weather-proofing and add beauty, and the avian bill a lightweight replacement for both teeth and food-handling forelimbs. Each chapter tackles a particular body system and includes detailed anatomical illustrations, from cells and organs to skeletons and muscles, to show how birds' anatomical adaptations enable all their physical feats and fascinating behaviour. Feature spreads offer more in-depth analysis on topics like birdsong, temperature control, ornamentation, unusual diets, social behaviour, nocturnal adaptations, mutation and naturTable of ContentsIntroduction 1 - Ancestors and evolution 2 - The Skeleton 3 - The Muscles 4 - The Nervous System 5 - The Senses 6 - The Circulatory System 7 - The Respiratory System 8 - Embryonic Development Glossary

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Book SynopsisIn Birds and Us, award-winning writer and ornithologist Tim Birkhead takes us on an epic and dazzling journey through this mutual history with birds, from the ibises mummified and deified by Ancient Egyptians to Renaissance experiments on woodpecker anatomy, from Victorian obsessions with egg collecting to the present fight to save endangered species and restore their habitats.Weaving in stories from his own life as a scientist, including far-flung expeditions to wondrous Neolithic caves in Spain and the bustling guillemot colonies of the Faroe Islands, this rich and fascinating book is the culmination of a lifetime''s research and unforgettably shows how birds shaped us, and how we have shaped them.''Birds and Us wings its way through 12,000 years of our species'' engagement with the avian world. Birkhead tells it all with delightful gusto, plaiting personal encounters with challenging historical research and bewitching scientific rigor'' Tim Dee''Thought-provoking at every turn, this inspiring, shocking, wonder-filled exploration of our relationship with birds from earliest times delivers a sobering challenge to us living with birds today'' Isabella Tree, author of Wilding''A fascinating book about the close and often surprising relationship between birds and people, written by one of our leading ornithologists'' Stephen MossTrade Review'Tim Birkhead is an eminent scientific ornithologist and a masterful science communicator. Birds and Us wings its way through 12,000 years of our species' engagement with the avian world. He tells it all with delightful gusto, plaiting personal encounters (with birds and bird-people) with challenging historical research and bewitching scientific rigor' -- Tim Dee'Thought-provoking at every turn, this inspiring, shocking, wonder-filled exploration of our relationship with birds from earliest times delivers a sobering challenge to us living with birds today' -- Isabella Tree, author of Wilding'A fascinating book about the close and often surprising relationship between birds and people, written by one of our leading ornithologists' -- Stephen Moss'A beguiling and beautifully illustrated study... extraordinary details fly off the page, from how guillemot eggs refuse to harden when boiled, to the discovery of millions of mummified ibises in Egyptian catacombs. Birkhead is a personable, often amusing, guide' * Mail on Sunday (5 star review) *'[Birkhead's] book arrives enticingly illustrated, but it's his obsessive passion which is most transfixing' * Observer *'A compelling combination of first-hand experiences, human stories, birdlore and scientific puzzles that take us through a 12,000-year pageant to the present day...the whole narrative fizzes with his infectious enthusiasm, curiosity and energy' -- Jeremy Mynott * TLS *'Birkhead's approach to writing - hard, clear sentences; deep, revelatory looking - has the same effect as his microscope, making us see the familiar with new eyes' -- Alex Preston'A brilliant and passionate celebration - how birds enrich our lives and now, more than ever, depend on us' -- Nick Davies, author of Cuckoo'Justly acclaimed for his brilliance at explaining complex science in a beguilingly lively style' * BBC Wildlife *'Tim Birkhead is an eminent scientific ornithologist and a masterful science communicator. Birds and Us wings its way through 12,000 years of our species' engagement with the avian world. He tells it all with delightful gusto, plaiting personal encounters (with birds and bird-people) with challenging historical research and bewitching scientific rigor' -- Tim Dee'Thought-provoking at every turn, this inspiring, shocking, wonder-filled exploration of our relationship with birds from earliest times delivers a sobering challenge to us living with birds today' -- Isabella Tree, author of Wilding'A fascinating book about the close and often surprising relationship between birds and people, written by one of our leading ornithologists' -- Stephen Moss'A beguiling and beautifully illustrated study... extraordinary details fly off the page, from how guillemot eggs refuse to harden when boiled, to the discovery of millions of mummified ibises in Egyptian catacombs. Birkhead is a personable, often amusing, guide' * Mail on Sunday (5 star review) *'[Birkhead's] book arrives enticingly illustrated, but it's his obsessive passion which is most transfixing' * Observer *'A compelling combination of first-hand experiences, human stories, birdlore and scientific puzzles that take us through a 12,000-year pageant to the present day...the whole narrative fizzes with his infectious enthusiasm, curiosity and energy' -- Jeremy Mynott * TLS *'Birkhead's approach to writing - hard, clear sentences; deep, revelatory looking - has the same effect as his microscope, making us see the familiar with new eyes' -- Alex Preston'A brilliant and passionate celebration - how birds enrich our lives and now, more than ever, depend on us' -- Nick Davies, author of Cuckoo'Justly acclaimed for his brilliance at explaining complex science in a beguilingly lively style' * BBC Wildlife *

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Book SynopsisThe definitive guide to the birdwatching sites of Wales.Wales remains one of the most alluring regions for birdwatchers; its range of habitats ensures a wide variety of species amidst the often spectacular scenery. Now in its fifth edition, Where to Watch Birds in Wales remains an invaluable and most trusted site guide for birdwatching in Wales. This new edition features many new sites, and includes updated maps to the sites and fully revised and expanded text.This is an essential guide for all birdwatchers living in or visiting this land of hills, valleys, moors and mountains.Trade ReviewDespite all of the information, the size of the book is suitable to pop into your rucksack when out and about, and I highly recommend that any birdwatchers living in or visiting Wales do just that. I also think that those with a more general interest in nature would find this title of interest, as many of the sites included offer some of the finest nature experiences Wales has to offer. Da iawn – very good! * British Birds *Now in its fifth edition, Where to Watch Birds in Wales remains an invaluable and most trusted site guide […] This is an essential guide for any birdwatchers living in or visiting this land of hills, valleys, moors and mountains. * Countryside *Table of ContentsAcknowledgements Introduction How to use this book Glossary of Welsh Place Names Anglesey (Ynys Mon) Breconshire (Brycheiniog) Caernarfonshire Carmarthenshire (Caerfyrddin) Ceredigon Denbighshire (Dinbych) East Glamorgan (Dwyrain Morgannwg) Gwent Meirionnydd Montgomeryshire (Trefalydwyn) Pembrokeshire (Sir Penfro) Radnorshire (Maesyfed) West Glamorgan and Gower (Gorllewin Morgannwg and Gwyr) Appendix A: National Organisations and Avifaunas Appendix B: Alphabetical List of Species with Welsh and Scientific Names

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Book SynopsisTable of ContentsForeword Acknowledgements Introduction Species Accounts (1-116) References and Further Reading Checklist of the Birds of Oman Index

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Book SynopsisThe definitive photographic guide to the astounding avifauna of Costa Rica.Birdwatching in Costa Rica is one of the world''s great nature experiences, with 850 species on its national list. A place of transition between South and Central American avifaunas, spectacular birds such as toucans, hummingbirds, trogons, macaws and tanagers are abundant throughout its extensive montane forests, with further riches to be found in the coastal lowlands and wetlands.The perfect companion for any wildlife-friendly visitor, Birds of Costa Rica provides photographic coverage of 350 species regularly seen in this small yet habitat-rich country. Concise text for each species includes information on identification, songs and calls, behaviour, distribution and habitat, with each photograph carefully selected to aid identification. A guide to the best birdwatching sites of Costa Rica is also included.Portable yet authoritative, this is the perfect guide for any visitor to this incredible part of Central America.

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Book SynopsisTrade Review"One of New Statesman's Books of the Year 2021""A Birdwatcher's Yearbook Best Bird Book of the Year""Ninth Place for the 2022 BB/BTO Best Bird Book of the Year, British Birds and the British Trust for Ornithology""Beautiful to hold and to ponder . . . A glorious piece of political advocacy."---Mark Cocker, New Statesman"A guiding light for all bird fans. . . . This 640-page tour de force follows in the finest traditions of the WildGuides . . . a must-have addition to birdwatchers' libraries."---Stuart Winter, Sunday Express"The most comprehensive, authoritative and ambitious single-volume photographic guide to Europe’s birds ever produced. . . . Essential if your birding takes you a little further afield."---John Miles, Birdwatching Magazine"A beautifully produced book, crammed with some of the most exquisite bird photography I’ve seen in any field guide to date."---Calvin Jones, Ireland's Wildlife"Must-have . . . comprehensive and dazzling photographic guide."---Stephen Moss, Stephen Moss's 2021 Round-up of Nature Books"Europe’s Birds is superbly planned, executed and produced, and is a joy to pick up and browse. It comes highly recommended."---Chris Kehoe, British Birds"Astonishingly beautifully and technically masterful . . . pin-sharp pictures of hard-to-separate species in almost perfect analogue poses. . . . placed in close proximity to the well-chosen words of a master of fieldguide prose, Mr Rob Hume. The combination is truly superb."---Mark Cocker, Unofficial Bookclub"One of the best and the most complete [field guide] out there."---Stephen Menzie, British Birds and British Trust for Ornithology"The book brings the quality of the genre to a new high."---Ian (DIM) Wallace, Honorary Life President of Flamborough Ornithological Group, and contributing author to The Birds of the Western Palearctic"Very useful. . . . The layout is excellent."---Gordon Hamlett, Birdwatchers’ Yearbook"Essential for anyone visiting this bird-rich area of southern England."---Jeremy Brock, Scottish Birds"It’s impossible to see how this latest WILDGuide can be anything but another winning-formula best seller. . . . The quality of the photographs from 350 worldwide photographers displayed in Europe’s Birds is mostly stunning, exceptional or simply the best on offer. . . . Open to birdwatchers of all abilities and experience with many, many pages to simply enjoy or from which to verify, learn or check understanding - there is something for everyone."---Phil Slade, Another Bird Blog"If you are in the market for a new field guide to the birds of Europe, you could do little better than this important new addition to the literature."---David Gascoigne, Travels with Birds"The most inclusive and up to date photographic guide of Europe’s birds available at a bargain price. Containing all the UK species, this may be the only guide you will ever need."---Eric Brown, News Shopper"The latest identification guide from WildGuides and as is to be expected is of a very high standard and is the most comprehensive and ambitious one yet. . . . The best identification to Europe’s birds."---Mike King, Gloster Birder"Europe’s Birds is accessible to birdwatchers of all abilities and experience with many, many pages to simply enjoy or from which to learn or verify an ID – there is something for everyone."---Frank Lambert, Birder's Library"This is the best photographic guide to the birds of Europe currently available!"---Ian Paulsen, The Birdbooker Report"This will become the new go to book for our next generation of birders."---Steven Rutherford, British Naturalists Association"Cleverly created multiple-image plates of great photographs laid out to show you 928 species in a variety of plumages and different poses. . . . Amazing value."---Keith Betton, Kingfisher"The artwork of “Europe’s Birds: An Identification Guide” is dazzling, the text condensed and comprehensive, and the layout and design are without peer. Highly recommended."---Dragan Simic, 10,000 Birds

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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 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 SynopsisDo you know your Kite from your Kestrel? What is the only known poisonous bird in the world? What type of bird can only eat upside down?Put your knowledge to the test with 52 trivia cards, each one illustrated with exquisite avian art to double as a game of Snap, Memory, Quartets or Swap.Presented in a foiled gift box and with a booklet that contains the rules of play to four traditional card games, this is the perfect gift for bird lovers.Card games also available in the series: Flowers of the World.

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Book SynopsisFrom the renowned naturalist Stephen Moss comes the must-have gift for bird lovers this Christmas. 'Wherever there is a stretch of water for them to find food and make their nest, you will come across swans' With beautiful illustrations throughout, this eye-opening biography reveals the hidden secrets of one of Britain's best-known birds. The Mute Swan is not so much a bird, as a national treasure: the avian equivalent of Sir David Attenborough or the Queen. These huge and stately creatures are part of our urban and rural landscapes, a constant presence on lakes, rivers and ponds throughout Britain. Yet despite their familiarity, they are often misunderstood; and while many people love swans, others fear them. Swans also feature in myths and legends, art and literature, dance and music, not just in Britain but all around the world. Stephen Moss delves into the facts and fiction about these charismatic birds, describes their seasonal life cycle and examines their central role in our history and culture. He also includes stories about 'wild swans' - Whooper and Bewicks - that visit us in winter; and the Black Swan of Australia. 'A superb naturalist and writer' Chris Packham 'Moss has carved out an enviable niche as a chronicler of the natural world' Daily MailTrade Review[A] beautifully illustrated guide * BBC Wildlife *Charming * The Tablet *This is a great read, and springs surprises about a bird you might think you know well -- John Miles and Matt Merritt * Bird Watching *

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Book SynopsisA revised and expanded edition of this book, the definitive birdwatching site guide for Dorset, Hampshire and the Isle of Wight.Whether you're seeking Firecrests or Hawfinch in the New Forest, Osprey in Dorset or eagles on the Isle of Wight, this book tells you where to go, what you'll see and when to see it. Keith Betton's fully revised and updated fifth edition of Where to Watch Birds in Dorset, Hampshire and the Isle of Wight is the essential site guide for any birdwatcher visiting or resident in the area.This book contains a comprehensive review of the area's significant birdwatching sites, providing all the information necessary to make the most of each and every trip, whatever the time of year. This edition also incorporates new sites and revised mapping throughout and has notes on access and target species. This book is an indispensable resource for birders in this bird-rich sweep of southern England.Trade ReviewAn essential purchase for resident and visiting birders in these three counties and, considering the wealth of data synthesised within its covers, provides very good value for money. * British Birds *This is a great book in a great series, and essential for any extended birding visit to these areas of great variety in both habitats and birds. * Bird Watching, Book of the Month *Table of ContentsAcknowledgements Introduction How to use this book Key to the maps West and North Dorset Portland and Weymouth Purbeck and Poole Basin East Dorset and the Hampshire Avon The Chalk Downs The Test and Itchen Valleys The New Forest and Nearby Coast South-east Hampshire North-east Hampshire The Isle of Wight List of organisations with abbreviations used in text Glossary Further reading list Code of conduct for birdwatchers Index of species by site number

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Book SynopsisA comprehensive and up-to-date field guide to the birds of Costa Rica. Graced with bounteous natural beauty Costa Rica has become a popular destination for travellers from all over the world. Birds play a prominent role in attracting visitors, too. The shimmering quetzals, gaudy macaws, and comical toucans that populate tourism posters only begin to hint at the impressive avian diversity to be found throughout this small country. The principal objective of this book is to help you correctly identify birds in Costa Rica. Each family of birds is introduced by a brief description that should help the novice birder determine to which group a bird belongs. Nearly every species is illustrated by one or more images, as needed. Corresponding to each species' illustration is a written account on the facing page. The account begins with the unique field marks to look for that will distinguish each species from similar ones. Following the description is information about status, distributioTrade ReviewThe appearance of this new, compact guide to the birds of Costa Rica should spur even more international birders to come to this avian paradise. I congratulate the author and artist on a job well done. -- Robert S. RidgelyThis book is a must for birders visiting Costa Rica. I highly recommend it. -- Victor Emanuel

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Book SynopsisA comprehensive guide to the feathers of European birds.This guide to the feathers of Europe''s birds presents a novel and innovative method to recognise the feathers of Europe''s birds. Covering over 400 species, an innovative key allows for exceptionally precise identification by colour as well feather structure and shape.Collection and conservation methods, locations of feathers on the bird, and identification and description of the feathers of species are clearly explained and richly illustrated, with more than 400 photographs. The large format of the book allows feathers to be shown in great detail.Trade ReviewThis is an attractive book that will be of great use to anyone who collects feathers, and to a wider audience too. * British Birds *A beautiful and highly original work. -- Stephen MossTable of ContentsIntroduction 1. Collecting methods, conservation and identification 2. Factors useful for identification 3. Determining the location of a feather on a bird 4. Flight and tail feather shapes and adaptations 5. Keys to flight and tail feather determination 6. Some examples of identifiable body feathers 7. Exercise in the identification of some feathers of common species 8. Species descriptions Appendices

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Book SynopsisThe definitive photographic guide to the fantastic avifauna of Colombia.With a spectacular range of habitats and one of the richest avifaunas of any country on earth, Colombia is home to an extraordinary total of almost 2,000 species of birds. It is quickly becoming one of South America's most popular wildlife and birding destinations, boasting more than 70 endemic species.The perfect companion for any wildlife-friendly visitor, Birds of Colombia provides photographic coverage of more than 320 species that are regularly seen in the region.Concise text for each species includes information on identification, songs and calls, behaviour, distribution and habitat, with each photo having been carefully selected to guide identification. A guide to the best birdwatching sites in Colombia is also included.Portable yet authoritative, this is the perfect guide for travellers and birdwatchers visiting this spectacular and bird-rich country.Table of ContentsIntroduction Purpose of this book Geographical parameters and significant ecosystems Major weather patterns Birdlife in Colombia Bird Observation Where to see some Colombian hotspots Species accounts

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Book SynopsisIdentify migratory birds with this book, containing detailed text on flight and contact calls, annotated sonograms and QR codes to the calls themselves. Every spring and autumn, millions of birds fly over us to en route to their summer or winter quarters, with these migratory flights occurring both day and night. A profusion of sounds fills the air, making it possible to put a name to these fleeting silhouettes - because the best way to identify these migrants is by their calls. Often neglected in traditional identification guides, these calls are described in this book with precision. Annotated sonograms make it possible to visualise, identify and better memorise the flight and contact calls of British and European migratory species.* Describes 450 species, with detailed text, photographs and sonograms.* Features essential criteria for effective identification of calls in the field.* Covers migratory behaviour and where and when to encounter e

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Book SynopsisThe definitive field guide to the rich avifauna of Ecuador.This up-to-date and comprehensive guide to the birds of mainland Ecuador is a valuable resource for anyone exploring the mountains, forests and wetlands of this incredibly bird-rich country. With thousands of beautiful and detailed paintings, accompanied by concise descriptions and accurate maps, this is an indispensible guide to bird identification in Ecuador. Covers every species and most subspecies recorded in Ecuador, including migrants and vagrants, with accurate and up-to-date distribution maps. 291 colour plates illustrating more than 1,630 species, with text on facing pages for quick and easy reference. Concise text covering identification, voice, habits, habitats, range, distribution and status.Trade ReviewWins friends from the outset ... very appealing, with enough detail to identify all but the most cryptic birds ... Next time [I visit Ecuador] it'll be Freile & Restall in my backpack. -- Dominic Mitchell * Birdwatch *Table of ContentsPreface Acknowledgements Introduction How to use this book Geography and Climate: an overview Bird Diversity Patterns Conservation Bird Topography Plates and Species Accounts Appendix 1: Potential Species List Appendix 2: Checklist of the Birds of Ecuador 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 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 SynopsisTake flight with the secret life of owls.Trade Review‘A charming, deeply researched book.’ —Guardian‘Fascinating, fact-filled and wonderfully readable.’ —Stephen Moss, author and naturalist'Ackerman is a warm and companionable guide, so enthusiastic about her subject that I suspect even the avian-indifferent will be charmed by her encounters with owls and the dedicated people who study them.' —New York Times‘With their largely nocturnal lifestyles, cryptic plumage and wary nature, owls can be difficult to locate, let alone study. But in recent years, discoveries about these mysterious and otherworldly birds have come thick and fast as radio trackers, infrared cameras, drones, audio lures, DNA analysis and even specially trained sniffer dogs have joined more traditional methods in unlocking their secrets. What an Owl Knows is an accessible, highly readable tour of these discoveries by Jennifer Ackerman’ —Melissa Harrison, The Times‘Ackerman’s love for these birds is totally infectious… Long may they continue to fly through the darkness.’ —Daily Mail'A must-read for all bird lovers, Ackerman’s latest engaging work contains a feast of revelations about creatures that have fascinated us throughout human history.' —Observer‘An absorbing ear-tuft-to-tail appreciation of the raptor that Mary Oliver, a poet, called a “god of plunge and blood”.’ —Economist'Important… The knowledge Ackerman marshals so skillfully comes from devoted ornithologists, and they are rightly honoured too… [What an Owl Knows] extends our circle of care… It all feels liberating, and has never been more urgent.' —New Statesman‘The author… invites us on her quest to discover why owls enthral us so much. She achieves this in a lyrical and easily digestible way… fascinating… Ackerman knows how to hold the reader's attention… We should all definitely give more of a hoot about their future.’ —Country Life‘A gripping history of these creatures in folklore and art across human history… What an Owl Knows is a treat.’ —Financial Times‘A scientific investigation rich in narrative detail. Her writing is at its most compelling when she lets her own delight and surprise at the birds slip through.’ —New Scientist'Immensely enjoyable... What an Owl Knows eloquently bridges the gap between science and popular assumption to brings us the surprising (and often endearing) facts about these legendarily mysterious birds. Forget what you know, or think you know, because the truth is stranger than fiction!' —James Aldred, author of Goshawk Summer'Absorbing and exquisitely researched. Ackerman guides the reader around the world, carefully unpacking what it means to be an owl and examining the human relationship with these oft-misunderstood birds.' —Jonathan Slaght, author of Owls of the Eastern Ice‘Lively and informative… While her [Ackerman's] straightforward style enables easy comprehension for the science-phobic, there is lyricism too… Her sense of wonder runs through the book.’ —TLS‘Ackerman explores their world from historical and scientific perspectives, combining new behavioral discoveries with personal observations from the field.’ —Washington Post‘I loved it… richly detailed, wide in scope, written with precision and clarity… I won't be able to see an owl in the same way again.’ —Stephen Rutt, author of The Seafarers: A Journey Among Birds‘A fascinating study of a captivating bird. I learnt something new on every page. Ackerman’s book is a wonderful synthesis of ethology, wonder and passion for her subject.’ —James Macdonald Lockhart, author of Wild Air

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Book SynopsisThis special book-format issue of Birds New Zealands journal Notornisis devoted to the birds of the Auckland Islands Maukahuka/Motu Maha, the largest and biologically most diverse island group in the New Zealand subantarctic region. Its 19 chapters, written by leading ornithologists, cover a wide range of topics, including the history of ornithological discovery, biogeography, the impacts of introduced mammals and people, prehistoric bird communities based on bone assemblages, and population, ecological and genetic studies of several of the endemic or otherwise notable birds of the island group including Auckland Island snipe, white-headed petrel, and several albatross species.Trade Review'Te Papa's Lost Gold: Ornithology of the subantarctic Auckland Islands stands as a collation of nearly all that's known about this remote and spectacular birdland. It's a natural history and a history, too, of the birdwatchers who put in the hard work. ... Its chapters are well-researched scientific papers; there are no bold assertions, no flowery prose; it's all hard-won data based on meticulous observation and plain hard slog' - Matt Vance, reviewed as Book of the Week on Newsroom's ReadingRoom (21 May 2020).Table of ContentsForeward 9 1. Ornithological discovery, exploration, and research on the Auckland Islands, New Zealand subantartic, 11 2. Birds of the Auckland Islands, New Zealand subantarctic, 59 3. Subantarctic Adams Island and its birdlife 153 4. Birds of Enderby Island, Auckland Islands, New Zealand subantarctic, 189. 5. Shipwrecks and mollymawks: an account of Disappointment Island birds 213 6. Introduced land mammals and their impacts on the birds of the subantarctic Auckland Islands 247 7. Holocene bird bones found at the subantarctic Auckland Islands 269 8. An extinct New Zealand raven (Corvus antipodum) on the Auckland Islands - an osteographic enigma? 295 9. Population estimate for yellow-eyed penguins (Megadyptes antipodes) in the subantarctic Auckland Islands, New Zealand 299 10. Development of aerial monitoring techniques to estimate population size of great albatrosses (Diomeda spp). 321 11. Variation in the bill colour of the white-capped mollymawk (Thalassarche cauta steadi). 333 12. Population trends of light-mantled sooty albatross (Phoebetria palpebrata) at Adams Island and trials of ground, boat, and aerial methods for population estimates 341 13. First northern giant petrel (Macronectes halli) breeding population survey and estimate for the Auckland Islands, New Zealand 357 14. Year-round distribution, breeding cycle, and activity of white-headed petrels (Pterodroma lessonii) nesting on Adams Island, Auckland Islands 369 15. White-chinned petrel (Procellaria aequinoctialis) burrow density, occupancy, and population size at the Auckland Islands 387 16. Genetic analysis reveal an unexpected refugial population of subantarctic snipe (Coenocorypha aucklandica) 403 17. Macquarie Island shags (Leucocarbo purpurascens) at the Auckland Islands - an addition to the New Zealand list 419 18. First record of South Polar skua (Catharacta maccormicki) from New Zealand - Auckland Islands, March 1904 427 19. Endemic is good, introduced is boring? Biases in bird reporting rates at the Auckland Islands 431 Acknowledgements 435

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Book SynopsisA SPECTATOR BOOK OF THE YEARLonglisted for the William Hill Sports Book of the Year''Rich and joyous ...The book''s quiet optimism about our ability to change, and to learn to love small things passionately, will stay with me for a long time'' Helen Macdonald''Big-hearted and quietly gripping'' Guardian''I love Jon Day''s writing and his birds. A marvellous, soaring account'' Olivia Laing''[A] beautiful book about unbeautiful birds'' Observer''This is nature writing at its best'' Financial Times''Awash with historical and literary detail, and moving moments ... Wonderful''Telegraph''Every page of this beautifully written book brought me pleasure'' Charlotte Higgins''A vivid evocation of a remarkable speTrade ReviewPrecise and poignant * Spectator *I love Jon Day's writing and his birds. A marvellous, soaring account * Olivia Laing *A compelling blend of personal memoir, nature writing and popular science, Day's book considers the humble pigeon, probably our oldest companion species. * Mail on Sunday *Homing did something I thought would be impossible - made me fall in love with the humble, familiar feral pigeon. It is both a repository of fascinating stories and memorable characters, and a deeply felt personal enquiry into the nature of 'home'. Every page of this beautifully written book brought me pleasure * Charlotte Higgins *'A terrific book which explores the sport inside out, as well as our own human concept of what home is' * Daily Telegraph *In this lucid and beguiling book, Jon Day has written marvellously interwoven tale of our two species * Jonathan Raban *A meditation that swoops agilely over topics from tyranny of technology to the paradoxes of parenting and the rewards of simply staying put. . . . A joyful, richly rewarding book * Mail on Sunday *Big-hearted and quietly gripping * The Guardian *[A] Vivid evocation of a remarkable species and a rich working-class tradition...a charming defence of a much-maligned bird * Daily Mail *Day's stories from the history of human-pigeon relations are well chosen and well told ... there's a great deal to like in the simple imagery of a young family and their pigeons growing up together in an east London home * Literary Review *This beautiful book by an English lecturer-cum-pigeon fancier reveals eerie parallels between human and bird life ... [A] beautiful book about unbeautiful birds * The Observer *Jon Day takes on the humble racing pigeon to ask just what home is, how we establish it, miss it and depart and return to it. He elevates this heroic bird to its rightful place in natural history and our history too, and celebrates its shared instinct with us for home... the art his own family and academic career... He has many fascinating accounts of how we've exploited these miraculous birds' homing instincts in war and peace... Day swoops and soars over many fields of art and science to unravel our instinct for homeEndlessly interesting and dazzlingly erudite, this wonderful book will make a home for itself in your heart * Prospect Magazine *I totally love Jon Day's new book Homing. For people who recognise that feeling familiar to Freud, of being homesick for nowhere, Jon's sense of making a particular home, or of knowing your way back to one, is a miracle-narrative of birds and men. Humane and beautifully navigated, it is hands down a book of the year -- Andrew O'HaganA dazzlingly erudite memoir about family, children and pigeon-fancying. An unlikely combination perhaps, but Day pulls it off. * Prospect Magazine *Day's stories from the history of human-pigeon relations are well chosen and well told ... there's a great deal to like in the simple imagery of a young family and their pigeons growing up together in an east London home * Literary Review *

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Book SynopsisAn invaluable site guide for New England birders, now available in a new updated edition. With over 470 species of birds recorded, Maine offers an abundance of birding opportunities for people of all levels of interest and experience, from those looking beyond their backyards for the first time to knowledgeable visitors looking to plug a hole in their list of sightings. The state’s wealth of undeveloped land and its extensive coastline, countless islands, and varied habitat combine to host an impressive diversity of birds at all times of the year. Birders travel to Maine from near and far to seek hard-to-find species, from the only Atlantic puffins breeding in the United States on offshore islands to Bicknell’s thrushes high in the mountains. This book fills an important niche for the birdwatching community by offering comprehensive entries detailing the best locations for finding birds throughout the state for enthusiasts of all levels of skill and interest. It contains descriptions of 202 birding sites in Maine, with explicit directions on how to get there, for all sixteen of the state’s counties, several as large as other New England states! Each chapter features a county map, a brief overview by Derek J. Lovitch, numerous specific site guides, and a list of rarities. The book also contains a detailed and useful species accounts guide for finding the most sought-after birds. Lavishly illustrated in color throughout, Birdwatching in Maine is the best available resource for finding birds in the largest of the New England states. This updated edition features a new introduction, as well as new birding sites and maps.Trade Review“Whether an experienced Maine birder or visitor, or even just a mildly interested bird enthusiast who likes to explore, this book . . . is a must-have for your personal library, although it may spend more time in the car and in your hands than on the shelf!” * Boothbay Register *“Lovitch’s new birding guide, Birdwatching in Maine, is a must-have for all who love Maine’s birds. The book is comprehensive, covering all the state’s best bird watching places.” * Bangor Daily News *Table of ContentsPreface xvIntroduction: Why Go Birding in Maine? 1Basics of Birding in Maine 3How to Use This Book 5American Birding Association Code of Birding Ethics 91 Y ork County 13Derek LovitchY1 Fort Foster and Seapoint Beach 14Y2 Mount Agamenticus 17Y3 The Nubble (Cape Neddick) 18Y4 Winter Alcid and Harlequin Duck Tour 20Y5 Moody-Ogunquit Beach and Beach Plum Farm 22Y6 Wells Marshes and Beaches 24Y7 Wells Reserve at Laudholm 26Y8 First Chance Whale Watch 27Y9 Kennebunk Plains 28Y10 Sanford Lagoons 31Y11 Timber Point and Fortunes Rocks Beach 33Y12 Biddeford Pool 35Y13 Saco “Yacht Club” and Riverwalk 41Y14 Pleasant Point Park 43Y15 Waterboro Barrens Preserve 44Y16 Killock Pond Road, and Maynard Marsh andLittle Ossippee River Wildlife Management Areas 45Y17 Sawyer Mountain Loop 482 C umberland County 51Derek LovitchC1 Scarborough Marsh 53C2 Crescent Beach and Kettle Cove State Parks 60C3 Dyer Point and Two Lights State Park 62C4 Village Crossings and the Cape Elizabeth Greenbelt Trail 64C5 Portland Harbor Winter Gull Loop 65C6 The Eastern Promenade 68C7 Back Cove 71C8 Evergreen Cemetery and Other Urban Sites 73C9 Capisic Pond Park 77C10 Odyssey Whalewatch 78C11 Casco Bay Islands (especially Peaks Island) and the Mailboat 80C12 Riverbank Park and Westbrook Riverwalk 82C13 Sebago Lake State Park and the Sebago Lake Loop 83C14 Sandy Point Beach, Cousin’s Island 87C15 “Greater Yarmouth Goose Fields” 89C16 Old Town House Park 91C17 Morgan Meadow Wildlife Management Area 92C18 Bradbury Mountain State Park and Spring Hawk Watch 93C19 Winslow Park and South Freeport 95C20 Florida Lake Park 98C21 Wharton Point to Simpson Point 100C22 Harpswell Neck 102C23 Bailey Island 1053 O xford County 107Kirk BettsO1 Brownfield Bog 109O2 Pleasant Mountain 111O3 Fryeburg Harbor Loop 112O4 Heald and Bradley Ponds 114O5 Streaked Mountain 115O6 Virgil Parris Forest (Packard Trail) 116O7 Norway Loop 116O8 White Mountain National Forest 118O9 Mount Will 119O10 Rumford Whitecap Mountain 120O11 Grafton Notch State Park 121O12 Umbagog National Wildlife Refuge 1224 A ndroscoggin County 125Dan NickersonAN1 Androscoggin River Tour, Durham to Lewiston 126AN2 Beaver Park, Lisbon 129AN3 Miller Park—Papermill Trail, Ricker Farm, and AndroscogginRiver Trails 131AN4 The “Louie” Loop 133AN5 Range Pond State Park 136AN6 Lewiston-Auburn Parks and Trails 137AN7 Auburn North Circuit 141AN8 Sabattus Pond 1445 S agadahoc County 149John BerrySA1 Morse Mountain and Seawall Beach 151SA2 Popham Beach State Park 152SA 3 Reid State Park 155SA4 New Meadows River 158SA 5 Bath Landfill and Waterfront 158SA6 Whiskeag Creek Trail (Sewall Woods and Thorne Head) 161SA 7 Bradley Pond 162SA8 Bisson’s Farm 163SA 9 Cathance Preserve 164SA10 Merrymeeting Bay (including the Mouth of the AbagadassetRiver) 165SA11 Green Point Wildlife Management Area 1686 L incoln County 171Allison Childs Wells and Jeffrey V. WellsL1 Monhegan Island 172L2 Boothbay Harbor Loop 177L3 Cap’n Fish’s Whale Watch 178L4 Boothbay Center Loop 179L5 Ocean Point—Linekin Preserve Loop 181L6 Pemaquid Point Loop 183L7 Eastern Egg Rock via the Hardy Boat 186L8 Schmid Preserve–Zak Preserve Loop 187L9 Old Cedar Grove Road and Pownalborough Court HouseTrails 189L10 Great Salt Bay Loop 191L11 Dresden Bog Loop 194L12 North Lincoln County Loop 1967 K ennebec County 199Herb WilsonKE1 Cobbosseecontee Lake 201KE2 Vaughan Woods 202KE3 Mill Park and Augusta State Airport (West Augusta) 203KE4 Viles Arboretum 204KE5 Hatch Hill Landfill 206KE6 Messalonskee Lake 208KE7 Sidney Bog 210KE8 China Lake 211KE9 Waterville Loop 213KE10 Kennebec River 216KE11 Kennebec Highlands Trails 217KE12 River Road Farmlands 2188 K nox County 221Kristen LindquistKX1 St. George River in Warren 222KX2 Weskeag Marsh 223KX3 Thomaston Waterfront 226KX4 Owls Head Area Loop 228KX5 Rockland Breakwater 230KX6 Vinalhaven Island (and Ferry) 232KX7 Chickawaukie Lake and Maces Pond 238KX8 Clarry Hill 239KX 9 Appleton Ridge to the Gibson Preserve 241KX10 Beech Hill Preserve 243KX11 Merryspring Nature Center 246KX12 Camden Harbor 248KX13 Camden Hills State Park 2499 Waldo County 253Seth BenzWO1 Fernald’s Neck Preserve 254WO2 Ducktrap Harbor 256WO3 Islesboro (Island) 257WO4 Lake St. George State Park 260WO5 James Dorso (Ruffingham Meadow) Wildlife ManagementArea 261WO6 Belfast Tour 262WO7 Head of Tide and Stover Preserves 266WO8 Bog Brook Sanctuary / Sheepscot-Wellspring Land AllianceProperties 269WO9 Frye Mountain State Wildlife Management Area 270WO10 Sears Island 272WO11 Cape Jellison Loop 276WO12 Sandy Point Beach and Sandy Point Wildlife ManagementArea 278WO13 Unity Area 279WO14 Howard L. Mendall (Marsh Stream) Wildlife ManagementArea 28310 Hancock County 285Rich MacDonaldH1 Deer Isle Tour 287H2 Blue Hill Peninsula Tour 290H3 Holbrook Island Sanctuary 292H4 Acadia National Park Tour (including Park Loop Road) 295H5 Mount Desert Island (West) Tour 301H6 East Mount Desert Island Tour 304H7 Bar Harbor Whale Watch 306H8 Trenton 308H9 Schoodic Peninsula Tour 309H10 Great Pond Mountain Wildlands 311H11 Ellsworth Tour 312H12 Route 9, Airline Road (“the Airline”) and Stud MillRoad Tour 31411 Franklin County 317Kirk BettsF1 White Granite Park 319F2 Foothills Land Conservancy 320F3 Whistlestop Trail 321F4 Mount Blue State Park 322F5 Perham Stream Birding Trail 323F6 Saddleback Mountain 324F7 Rangeley Lakes 326F8 Rangeley Loop Drive 328F9 Bald Mountain 331F10 Boy Scout Road and the Kennebago River 332F11 Quill Hill 334F12 Sugarloaf Area 335F13 Burnt Mountain (aka Burnt Hill) 33712 S omerset County 339Ron JosephSO 1 Mill Island Town Park 341SO2 Shawmut Dam 342SO3 Goodwill-Hinckley School Nature Trail, L. C. Bates Museum,and Kennebec Valley Community College Farm Fields 343SO4 Madawaska Bog Wildlife Management Area 344SO5 Gilman Pond Farm and Stream Inlet 345SO6 Long Falls Dam Road 346SO7 Moore Pond 35013 P enobscot County 353Luke SeitzPE1 Sebasticook Lake 354PE2 Corinna Marsh 355PE3 Plymouth Pond 357PE4 Essex Woods 358PE5 Bangor Waterfront Tour 359PE6 Penjajawoc Marsh 361PE7 Bangor City Forest and Orono Bog 362PE8 University of Maine Campus 363PE9 Sunkhaze Meadows National Wildlife Refuge 365PE10 Stud Mill Road 36614 W ashington County 369Herb WilsonWN1 Petit Manan National Wildlife Refuge 370WN2 Southern Washington County Blueberry Barrens 371WN3 Addison Marsh 372WN4 Great Wass Island 372WN5 Roque Bluffs State Park 374WN6 Machias Loop 374WN7 Machias Seal Island 376WN8 Hamilton Cove and Boot Head Preserves 377WN9 Lubec and the Lubec Bar and Flats 380WN10 Quoddy Head State Park 383WN11 Campobello Island 386WN12 Moosehorn National Wildlife Refuge: Edmunds Division 387WN13 Pleasant Island–Eastport Loop 388WN14 Moosehorn National Wildlife Refuge: Baring Division 390WN15 The Burn Road 39115 P iscataquis County 393Luke SeitzPS1 Shirley Bog Railroad Bed 395PS2 Big Moose Mountain 397PS3 Lily Bay State Park 398PS4 Kokadjo Area 398PS5 Golden Road 400PS6 Harvester Road 401PS7 Baxter State Park: Nesowadnehunk Campground 405PS8 Baxter State Park: Roaring Brook Campground andSandy Stream Pond 406PS9 Baxter State Park: Mount Katahdin 40716 A roostook County 411Luke SeitzAR1 Mars Hill Pond 412AR2 Masardis Area 413AR3 Aroostook State Park 414AR4 Lake Josephine 415AR5 Christiana Reservoir 417AR6 Collins Pond 418AR 7 Limestone / Fort Fairfield Goose Tour 419AR8 Aroostook National Wildlife Refuge 421AR9 Stockholm–Van Buren Path 422AR10 Muscovic Road 424AR11 Sinclair Area 425AR12 Square Lake Road 426AR13 The North Maine Woods 42917 S pecies Accounts 432References 465About the Editor and Contributors 467Index of Bird Species 473

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Book Synopsis‘Whether you are new to wanting to understand birdsong, or are already a fully fledged birdwatcher, this book casts a spell. A truly lovely reading experience’ - Love Reading This is a book full of fascinating stories about birdsong for every week of the year, with QR codes to bring each song to life. Leading bird expert and writer, Dominic Couzens, takes you on a journey to enjoy an authentic year of birdsong around the world, one for every week of the year. From the ancient song of the Rifleman that was likely the first sound made by a songbird to the Eurasian Skylark who evokes the zenith of summer, from the constant companion of the American Robin whose song resonates from the top of skyscrapers and complements the howling of a wolfpack in Alaska to the drumming rhythm of the Great Spotted Woodpecker. This book covers a myriad of topics including bird nature and behaviour, stories and literary masterpieces inspired by birdsongs, the musicality of the notes, and what different songs communicate. Each of these fascinating stories are accompanied by illustrations by award-winning artist Madeleine Floyd and a QR code to let you listen to the birdsong while you read. A natural wonder that has captivated and fascinated generations, birdsong is the soundtrack to life. This book offers the perfect tonic whether you are an avid birdwatcher or just want to understand the songs that are often the first thing we hear in the morning and the last thing we hear at night.Trade ReviewGorgeous illustrations' Evergreen ‘Delightful illustrations’ Country Life ‘Whether you are new to wanting to understand birdsong, or are already a fully fledged birdwatcher, this book casts a spell. A truly lovely reading experience’ Love Reading ‘Charming… I love the illustrations’ Miranda Mills YouTube

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Book SynopsisThis wonderful book describes the fascinating lives of the two most ubiquitous shorebirds in the world. Between them the Common Sandpiper (Actitis hypoleucos) and Spotted Sandpiper (Actitis macularia) make use of a large part of the world's terrestrial habitat and they exhibit many of the exciting features of shorebirds. As the birds arrive on the breeding ground, their displays are spectacular and their sounds are an exciting announcement of springtime. Unusually, the Spotted Sandpiper appears to be the only bird where the female is the territory holder, laying successive clutches of eggs for different males to care for, while the male of the Common Sandpiper holds the territory, has one mate, and shares most duties. They stay on the breeding grounds only as long as is essential to reproduce before making a migration southwards to a broad range of non-breeding homes in Central and South America, Africa, India, and eastwards to Australia with vagrants reaching as far as Tristan da Cunha and New Zealand. The Common Sandpiper has also been recorded breeding in East Africa and wintering in Scotland so their flexibility is amazing. The author has spent over 40 years studying the lives of these fantastic birds and provides a wealth of information including their breeding behaviour, migrations, distribution, food sources, habitats and their history from the present back to 36 million years ago. This beautiful book will hopefully stimulate others to watch these worldwide birds more appreciatively and add to our knowledge.Trade Review`…a fascinating insight into the lives of the two Actitis species. It’s almost as if the reader is allowed to sit on a bank with the author and share intimate moments with these birds. Wader Tale Blog -------------------- `Much of this fascinating information will be new to general UK birders. Throughout, there are clear and concise tables, maps, and many well-chosen images on both species... The author's style here is relaxed and reveals a true affection for his study species and their habitats - he has produced a great addition to all birdwatchers' libraries, amateur and professionals alike'. Scottish Birds -------------------- `...this book will be appreciated by many wader and riverine enthusiasts. I am glad we have it'. Birdwatch -------------------- `...this would be perfect for anyone wanting to know these birds better...' The Birders Library -------------------- `...the book is a real compendium of information on the two species and will be a very useful addition to any shorebirder's library'. British Birds -------------------- `This delightful book brings all aspects of their behavior and ecology to life... ...this is an excellent book that makes the most of the long-term studies on Common Sandpipers undertaken in the UK by the author... ...is highly internationally relevant... I would heartily recommend this book to anyone interested in finding out more about these two fascinating species'. BTO - British Trust for Ornithology -------------------- `...I was very pleasantly surprised to receive an attractive softback book... The graphics are refreshingly original, adding greatly to the personal feel of the book...just the right amount of information, presented in an interesting and engaging way'. Sussex Ornithological Society Newsletter -------------------- `For those with a serious interest in either of these species'. The Birdbooker Report -------------------- `...is brim-full of photographs, sketches and graphs illustrating the points being made by the author, which make it a more informative read. The author ha crammed 40 years' experience of studying the live of these birds into a book which will undoubtedly give pleasure and knowledge to most birders'. Wildlife Detective, The blog of Alan Stewart -------------------- `This beautiful book describe the fascinating life of the two most popular species of wading birds in the world'. Alauda

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Book SynopsisThis comprehensive guide to the birds of Thailand is an indispensable field reference for birdwatchers, residents and visitors to the country alike. Thailand is one of the most popular destination for tourists in Asia, and birders have long travelled there to observe its wealth of wildlife.This guide covers all 950 species that have been recorded in Thailand, with 166 magnificent colour plates covering most plumage variations. Each plate is accompanied by concise text for each species and distinctive subspecies, detailing identification, voice, habitat and behaviour.In addition, there is a distribution map for every species.

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Book SynopsisThe ultimate field guide to the birds of the Middle East, an indispensable companion for any traveller to the regionThe Middle East the region stretching from Cyprus and the Levant to Iran, including Turkey and the Arabian Peninsula, plus Socotra has a wonderfully broad and diverse avifauna, featuring a host of wintering and passage migrants, enigmatic breeders, and even a few endemics that occur nowhere else.This authoritative book covers more than 895 species recorded in the Middle East, including details of all regular visitors and breeding species, from the Purple Sunbird to the Northern Bald Ibis. Featuring 180 stunning colour plates by three of the world's leading bird illustrators, this practical guide also includes concise species accounts describing key identification features, status, range, habitat and voice with fully updated distribution maps for each species.Written by three of the leading lights in regional ornithology and conservation

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Book SynopsisThe ultimate field guide to the birds of Ghana.With a huge 773 species on its national list, including big-hitters like Egyptian Plover, Rufous Fishing Owl, Fire-bellied Woodpecker, and western Africa''s most sought-after bird, Yellow-headed Picathartes, Ghana is rapidly becoming one of Africa''s foremost birding destinations, and this is the definitive field guide to the country. Also covering neighbouring Togo, Birds of Ghana includes details of all residents, migrants and known vagrants. More than 150 stunning colour plates depict every species and comprehensively cover all the distinct plumages and subspecies likely to be encountered. Concise species accounts describe key identification features, status, range, habitat and voice. These are accompanied by accurate distribution maps for each species, a significant advance on previous guides to the region. Birds of Ghana is the ultimate reference to the birds of this rich and varied corner of Africa.Trade ReviewThe ultimate field guide if you are heading to this intriguing part of Western Africa. * Bird Watching *Long awaited and very welcome, this field guide is indispensable ... another effective contribution from Helm, one that will count among the West African birder’s collection of important books. * Malimbus *Table of ContentsAcknowledgements How to Use this Book Geography, Climate and Habitats Important Bird and Biodiversity Areas Taxonomy: Some Definitions Organisations Bird Topography Glossary Abbreviations and Symbols Species Accounts (1-151) Checklist of Birds of Ghana Appendix: Species not Accepted on the Ghana List References Index Quick Index to the Main Groups of Birds

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Book Synopsis The robin was hardly understood when David Lack - Britain's most influential ornithologist - started his scientific observations. This book is a landmark in natural history, not just for its discoveries, but because of the approachable style, sharpened with an acute wit. It reads as fascinatingly today as when it was written.

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Book SynopsisFor the first time, the complete collection of the Collins Field Guides' incredibly detailed, accurate and beautiful bird paintings has been brought together in one comprehensive volume.This all-encompassing new guide is an extraordinary addition to the world-renowned series the ultimate reference book for birdwatchers and bird lovers. It covers every species of the world's birds all 10,711 species are featured covering the complete International Ornithological Union Checklist of Birds of the World.With a total of 301 full-colour plates this is a visual feast, as well as an authoritative resource. It illustrates all male breeding plumages, and females if significantly different, for every species, alongside concise text covering defining identification characteristics, distribution and voice. Illustrated by the world's leading bird artists: Norman Arlott, Ber van Perlo, Gustavo Carrizo, Aldo A. Chiappe, Luis Huber and Jorge R. Rodriguez Mata.Trade Review‘A superb piece of work, packaged and produced with typically lofty Collins standards. It really does look the part, having been so thoughtfully put together, and it oozes authority and class. It is a hugely impressive book …The plates are a joy to behold. Little space is spared, with each packed to the rafters with depictions of every species covered – in many cases twice, where sexes differ sufficiently to merit recognition. They feel busy yet not chaotic; each has been carefully constructed so as not to inhibit identification of the species shown, nor detract from their overall impact ’ Josh Jones, Bird Guides ‘This is an amazing book … the images are amazing and contain a wealth of detail’ Bird Watching magazine Praise for Norman Arlott'[Arlott's paintings] are not only accurate (which is the most important thing), but I find them very attractive as well. . . . I would highly recommend'Grant McCreary, Birder's Library 'A real treasure. . . . Simple and simply beautiful.'Robert Mortenson, Idaho Birding blog 'A must for the travelling birder.'BBC Wildlife

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Book SynopsisThe ultimate reference book for bird enthusiasts – now in its third edition.Trade ReviewReviews of the previous editions: ‘The best just got better’ Birdwatch ‘The richest, most comprehensive of the current guides.’The Times ‘This book will surely become our standard guide for many years to come.’ BBC Wildlife ‘…buy this book, read it in the bath, keep it in the car boot and use it.’ Bird Watching

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Book SynopsisThe perfect pocket-friendly guide to the amazing avifauna of Thailand. Boasting a fantastic diversity of habitats, ranging from high mountain peaks to extensive mudflats, Thailand is one of the top birding destinations in South-east Asia. The perfect companion for any wildlife-friendly visitor, Birds of Thailand provides photographic coverage of 400 species that regularly occur in the region, from the Siamese Fireback to the Spoon-billed Sandpiper. Concise text for each species includes information on identification, songs and calls, behaviour, distribution and habitat, with each photo carefully selected to guide identification. A guide to the best birdwatching sites in Thailand is also included.Portable yet authoritative, this is the perfect guide for travellers and birdwatchers visiting this spectacular area.

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Book SynopsisUsually observed as a flash of blue and orange from a riverbank, most people are aware of Kingfishers, but few of us are familiar with the intricacies of their day-to-day lives.With their long, dagger-like bills, bright blue plumage and characteristic fast, low flight over water, Common Kingfishers are instantly recognisable. The 90 or so species that belong to this colourful family have a cosmopolitan distribution and, in Spotlight Kingfishers, David Chandler celebrates their remarkable existence, studying their unique adaptations and their courtship, breeding and feeding habits. He also investigates historical threats to Kingfishers, considers their future, and offers practical advice on how to find and see these glorious birds.Table of Contents1. Meet the Kingfisher 2. The Kingfisher family 3. Home and away: habitat and movements 4. Catching fish... and more 5. Finding and keeping a territory 6. A mate and a tunnel 7. From egg to adult 8. Life and death on the riverbank 9. Past imperfect: future tense? 10. How to see a Kingfisher Glossary Resources Image credits Index

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Book SynopsisSelected by Forbes.Trade Review"This wonderful handbook provides a crystal-clear introduction to every fascinating aspect of bird biology. It will now be my own first reference source about birds, and it should be yours, too - regardless of whether you are a backyard bird watcher, a hard-core birder, or a professional ornithologist."—Jared Diamond, Professor of Geography at the University of California-Los Angeles, specialist on New Guinea birds, and Pulitzer-Prize winning author "This new edition of the Cornell Lab of Ornithology's Handbook of Bird Biology is a stunning resource for professionals and amateurs alike. It is graced by color photos spilling off nearly every page and filled with clear yet detailed interpretations of the latest ornithological discoveries. One can't achieve a better mix of technical accuracy and a pleasing, accessible format. It's all here - bird evolution, ecology, physiology, conservation, and much more."—Scott V. Edwards, Alexander Agassiz Professor of Zoology and Curator of Ornithology at Harvard University "With the range of topics covered, the quality of both the writing and design, and the depth of information included, the authors have produced a book that will be of interest to a wide range of readers from those just starting to learn about birds to ornithologists who have been studying birds for decades. Whether you are a researcher, teacher, or just interested in birds, this book is a must-have for your ornithological library and, for those teaching a college-level course and looking for a textbook, the Handbook of Bird Biology is an excellent resource that should be given serious consideration"—Margaret Brittingham, wiley online library, Sept 2017 "This third version is largely enriched by the progress of ornithology. It is difficult to account for such a large body of knowledge, with the different chapters covering most areas: bird classification and diversity, evolution, plumage, flight, anatomy, physiology, feeding, social behavior, vocalizations, reproduction , migration, population ecology, communities, conservation. There is a summary at the top of each chapter and a good list of bibliographic references at the end. All are very well illustrated with photos, figures and also many colored boxes that detail particular points, concepts and regularly clear definitions of terms or scientific concepts. In addition, 76 pages of glossary and indexes (names of species, countries, subjects, etc.) at the end allow the reader to find almost everything that has been treated or mentioned.... It is the best condensed work currently available on birds and ornithology developments. It is also the most readable and easy to consult thanks to its very airy texts with multiple illustrations and subtitles ... it's really the basic work that one can refer to for any questions that one might have about birds."—Ornithos, 24:5 (2017) "Intellectually and visually inspiring.... I can't imagine a better textbook or general reference for aspiring or established ornithologists and naturalists."—Craig W. Benkman, Robert B. Berry Distinguished Chair in Ecology, University of Wyoming "... provides readers... a vast but digestible set of general evolutionary, behavioral, and physiological concepts, rigorous scientific appraisals, and diverse, data-driven examples."—Mark E. Hauber, Editor of The Auk and Interim University Vice Provost for Research, City University of New York "Serve[s] equally well as an introduction to bird biology for the interested layperson or a text[book].... Truly remarkable and comprehensive."—Richard T. Holmes, Harris Professor of Environmental Biology Emeritus, Dartmouth College "[A] deeply informative and visually stunning book,... written in a straightforward and engaging style. The visual layout is superb."—Darren E. Irwin, Professor of Zoology and Curator of Birds at the Beaty Biodiversity Museum, University of British Columbia "Provides so many up-to-date and inspiring examples, beautifully illustrated and professionally described (with direct links to audio-visual media)."—Arnon Lotem, Professor, Department of Zoology, Tel-Aviv University "[The] subject matter experts have done a wonderful job assembling [an] enormous amount of information into 15 succinct... chapters."—Peter Marra, Director, Smithsonian Migratory Bird Center "An unrivaled resource. Drawing upon classic literature [and] the latest peer-reviewed data sets, the Handbook will take you on a journey."—Rebecca Safran, Associate Professor of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of Colorado, Boulder "Written and edited by some of the leading experts in the field... with a clear style and well-chosen examples."—Pablo Luis Tubaro, Curator of Ornithology and Director, Museo Argentino de Ciencias NaturalesTable of ContentsEditorial Team and Contributors vii Preface ix Bird Academy Web Resources xiii 1 Why Study Birds? 1Irby J. Lovette and John W. Fitzpatrick 2 Avian Diversity and Classification 7Irby J. Lovette 3 How Birds Evolve 63Irby J. Lovette 4 Feathers and Plumages 101Kimberly Bostwick 5 Avian Flight 149Bret W. Tobalske 6 Avian Anatomy 169Howard E. Evans 7 Bird Physiology 215Scott McWilliams, Elizabeth Adkins‐Regan, and Carol Vleck 8 Avian Food and Foraging 265Thomas W. Sherry 9 Avian Mating and Social Behavior 313John Alcock 10 Avian Vocal Behavior 355Bruce E. Byers and Donald E. Kroodsma 11 Breeding Biology of Birds 407David W. Winkler 12 Avian Migration and Dispersal 453David W. Winkler, Judy Shamoun‐Baranes, and Theunis Piersma 13 Ecology of Bird Populations 495Walter D. Koenig 14 Bird Communities 537Russell S. Greenberg 15 Bird Conservation 579John W. Fitzpatrick and Amanda D. Rodewald Glossary 641 Index 657

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Book Synopsis''Packed with insight and anecdote, his story brings the Tower ravens to vivid life, each bird with a personality of its own. I''ve been fortunate enough to tour the Tower and meet the ravens a few times in years past; after reading this book, I cannot wait to go back'' George R. R. MartinFor centuries, the Tower of London has been home to a group of famous avian residents: the ravens. Each year they are seen by millions of visitors, and they have become as integral a part of the Tower as its ancient stones themselves. But their role is even more important than that legend has it that if the ravens should ever leave, the Tower will crumble into dust, and great harm will befall the kingdom.One man is personally responsible for ensuring that such a disaster never comes to pass the Ravenmaster. The current holder of the position is Yeoman Warder Christopher Skaife, and in this fascinating, entertaining and touching book he memorably describes the ravens' formidable intelligence, their iTrade Review‘He is a born storyteller’ Evening Standard ‘A born storyteller with a gift for banter honed by years in the British army, Skaife has written a book that is far from a dry monograph about the species … [it is] a beguiling, fascinating, and highly amusing account of the strangely magical birds. He is making us love them in a way that makes them more than mere symbols’ Helen Macdonald, author of H is for Hawk, Atlantic ‘A natural story teller, Skaife writes with affection and insight about these powerful, unpredictable and highly intelligent birds … a wonderfully personal account’ Guardian ‘The best Christmas presents are often a little unexpected and this lovely memoir of Yeoman Warder Christopher Skaife's experience of looking after the Tower of London ravens fits the bill. A beguiling mixture of personal experience, folklore and humour, The Ravenmaster is a charming delight’ iNews ‘A strange, wise and fascinating book that takes you deep into the interwoven myth and history of the raven. At a time when we're thinking more than ever about tradition and identity, this is a book that feels both urgent and timeless, with the Ravenmaster himself an eccentric, genial and quintessentially British narrator’ Alex Preston, author of When Kingfishers Catch Fire ‘The London book of the year this year has to be The Ravenmaster, a funny and informative account of life with the royal ravens’ Evening Standard ‘Balancing fascinating tidbits with macabre details (blood-soaked dog biscuits and ghostly sightings), [Skaife] titillates as he educates, rehabilitating the gloomy reputation of the raven. Skaife’s conversational style and disarming candor make this a rollicking tale fit for nearly any armchair adventurer’ Publisher's Weekly

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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 SynopsisIn this work, John Busby conveys his own remarkable ability to capturethe grace and motion of living birds, illustrating his ideas andsuggestions with many examples of his own work.Trade Review"I wholeheartedly recommed this book to anyone who is interested in etiher birds, illustrating them, or both." Hobby Greenhouse (Summer 2006) '..beautifully illustrated book..' '..offer[s] sound advice of experienced and aspiring artists.' Birder's World (October 2007)

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Book SynopsisAn authoritative directory of the birds of Europe, and African migration, with 500 detailed illustrations.

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Book SynopsisPuffins is packed with eye-catching, informative colour photos and features succinct, detailed text written by a knowledgeable expert.Enduringly popular, Puffins are perhaps our most iconic species of bird, and are the most immediately identifiable of seabirds with their decorative bills and clown-like gait. Yet when they take to the air they wheel and turn with great agility and underwater these stocky little birds use short specially adapted wings to propel themselves through the water in pursuit of small fish.Surprisingly little was known about Puffin ecology until recently thanks to their preferred breeding habitat being underground on remote islands or hard-to-reach coastlines. Now Euan Dunn discloses all we have learnt about them as a result of technological advances, and provides a revealing account of their life cycle, behaviour and breeding, what they eat, how they interact in their busy colonies, and where they migrate to in winter. Euan also exposes the mountinTrade ReviewAn informative, well-illustrated guide to this most appealing of bird species. * The Countryman *This look at what is arguably our most attractive bird looks, unsurprisingly, lovely. * Scotland Outdoors *Table of Contents1) Meet the Puffin 2) Colony life 3) Natural history 4) Breeding and young 5) Food and feeding 6) Threats 7) Conservation 8) Watching puffins 9) Puffin fun Glossary Index

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Book SynopsisThe beauty and fascination of birds is unrivalled. Every day of the year, immerse yourself in their world with an entry from A Bird of Day, where Dominic Couzens offers an insight into everything from the humble Robin to Emperor Penguins, who are in the midst of Arctic storms protecting their young on 1 July. Or discover the fate of the Passenger Pigeon which became extinct through overhunting on 1 September 2014. If you ever visit the Himalayan uplands, go in late November when you can see a flock of the cobalt blue Grandala birds, which is one of the wonders of the natural world. The author is a world expert on birds and particularly bird behaviour and he reveals endless fascinating stories of birds from all over the globe to give a rich tapestry of avian life with stunning photography, illustration and arresting art. All of bird life is covered, from nesting, migration, and courting to birdsong and curious bird behaviour. From the promiscuous Fairywren of Australia, who gives petals to his mistresses, to the singing instructions of the female Northern Cardinal in North America, this is a delightful dip-in-and-out book for any nature lover.Trade Review'Couzens has created a nuanced book that offers many windows, roads, nooks and crannies to enhance our own personal journey with birds.' -- Birdwatch'This is an attractive book to look at and an interesting one to read. It would make a very good Christmas present for just about anyone who is interested in birds, whatever their level of knowledge.' -- Mark Avery'An ideal reference book for fledgling ornithologists.' -- Mary Skipworth * The Field *'For dipping into – and learning a lot when you do' -- Stephen Moss * Mark Avery Blog *'Perfect for dipping into, beautifully written, and great to look at.' * Birdwatching, Book of the Month *

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Book SynopsisJohn James Audubon (1785-1851) was for half a century America's dominant wildlife artist. His seminal Birds of America, a collection of 435 life-size prints, is still a standard work, and the name Audubon remains synonymous with birds and bird conservation the world over. Born in Haiti, the illegitimate son of a French sea-captain, he was raised in France and sailed to America at the age of 18 where he went into business and began his study of birds. In 1819 he was briefly jailed for bankruptcy; with no other prospects, he set off on his epic quest to depict America's avifauna, with nothing but his gun, artist's materials, and a young assistant. Floating down the Mississippi, he lived a rugged hand-to-mouth existence while his devoted wife, Lucy, earned money as a tutor to wealthy plantation families. In 1826 he sailed with his partly finished collection to England. Lionized as the 'American woodsman', he hit just the right Romantic note for the era, and was an overnight success, finding printers for his book first in Edinburgh, then London. It was a classic American tale of triumph over adversity.Here are vivid 'bird biographies', his correspondence with Lucy, journal accounts of his dramatic river journeys and hunting trips with the Osage Indians, and a generous sampling of brief stories that have long been out of print, 'The Burning of the Forests' and 'Kentucky Barbecue on the Fourth of July' among them. The Audubon Reader is an unforgettable encounter with early America: with its wildlife and birds, with its people and its primordial wilderness.Trade ReviewCelebrate him for his wonderful birds; but recognise him as well as a characteristic American of the first generation - a man who literally made a name for himself. -- Richard Rhodes * Introduction by Richard Rhodes *

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Book Synopsis

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