Description
Book SynopsisMost of the world’s exquisite and rare bird species are found in tropical rainforests – the Amazon, Sumatra, Borneo, Daintree Rainforest in Australia, and the Congo basin in Africa. These lush, wet biospheres are home to some of the most colourful creatures on our planet.
Did you know that parrots can live for 80 years or more? Or that most tropical birds are omnivores and will eat seeds, nuts, fruit and insects, while a few will eat small lizards or animals? The world’s longest parrot is the stunningly bright hyacinth macaw (Anodorhynchus hyacinthinus), checking in at more than a metre from tip to tail.
From the screeching red-and-green macaw to the majestic great hornbill, from the rainbow lorikeet of northern Queensland to the endangered Spix’s macaw of the Amazonian rainforest, Tropical Birds explores the fascinating lifecycles, diets and, where applicable, migratory patterns, of hundreds of species from every part of the tropical belt.
With full captions explaining the origins, habitat and behaviour of these exotic creatures, Tropical Birds is a concise exploration in 180 brilliant photographs.
Table of ContentsContents include:
Introduction
1: PARROTS AND CUCKOOS
Parrots
Lorikeets / Lories
Parakeets / Lovebirds
Macaws
Cockactoos
Turacos
Hoatzin
Cuckoos — tropical species
2: TOUCANS AND WOODPECKERS
Toucans
Honeyguides
Barbets
Woodpeckers
3: HORNBILLS AND RELATIVES
Hornbills
Kingfisher / Kookaburra
Motmots
Todies
Bee-eaters
Hoopoes
Roller
4: HUMMINGBIRDS AND SWIFTS
Hummingbirds
Swifts
Trogons / Quetzals
5: GROUND BIRDS
Ratites: Ostrich /Emu / Rhea / Cassowaries
Game birds: Pheasant / Guinea fowl / Megapodes
Herons
Stork
Spoonbill
Flamingo
6: SONGBIRDS
Broadbills
Lyrebird
Ovenbird (with nest)
Flycatchers (this name covers many groups)
Pitta
Cock of the rock
Sunbirds
Swallow
Shrikes
Warblers
Flycatchers
Tits
White-eyes
Honeyeaters
Buntings
Tanagers
Finches
Weavers (with nests)
Orioles (with nests vis. golden oriole)
Hooded pitohui (an oriole not New Guinea that is the only venomous bird.)
Drongos
Bowerbirds (with bower)
Birds of paradise
Magpies
