Description
Book SynopsisAn authoritative study of extinction in birds, with case studies of 20 critically endangered species and the research initiatives designed to save them.
Almost two hundred species of birds have become extinct in the past 400 years, and a similar number today are in imminent danger of following them. The world''s conservationists are leading the fight to prevent the demise of these remaining critically endangered birds, with a fair degree of success.
This new book examines the process and issues concerning extinction - how and why it happens and what can be done about it. Whilst man is to blame for many of the causes, such as persecution and habitat loss, species have become extinct on a regular basis since life began.
After several thought-provoking introductory chapters, the book showcases about 20 species on the brink of extinction from around the world and describes the work that is being undertaken to save them. Some are success stories, but a few are
Table of Contents
Acknowledgements Preface 1. The nature of rarity and the rarity of nature 2. The distribution and causes of rarity 3. Sociable Lapwing Vanellus gregarius 4. Spoon-billed Sandpiper Eurynorhynchus pygmeus 5. Brazilian Merganser Mergus octosetaceus 6. Royal Cinclodes Cinclodes aricomae 7. Bengal Florican Houbaropsis bengalensis 8. Liben Lark Heteromirafa sidamoensis 9. Yellow-crested Cockatoo Cacatua sulpurea 10. Rarity and extinction on islands 11. Stephens Island Wren Xenicu (Traversia) lyalli 12. Tristan Albatross Diomedea dabbenena 13. Raso Lark Alauda razae 14. Po'ouli Melamprosops phaeosoma 15. Saving the world's rarest birds 16. Kakapo Strigops habroptila 17. Asian vultures Gyps bengalensis, G. tenuirostris, G. indicus 18. Philippine Eagle Pithecophaga jefferyi 19. Alagos Curassow Mitu mitu 20. Spix's Macaw Cyanopsitta spixii 21. Madagascar Pochard Aythya innotata 22. The lost and the found 23. Gurney's Pitta Pitta gurneyi 24. Forest Owlet Heteroglaux blewitti 25. Slender-billed Curlew Numenius tenuirostris and Eskimo Curlew N. borealis 26. Rarity and extinction in the future References
