Photographic Handbook Of The Wildfowl Of The World

This text presents a collection of field descriptions and photographs of the world's wildfowl. It covers 236 species and sub-species and 700 photographs illustrate not only the adult bird, but each significant plumage variation. The up-to-date species descriptions include details of habit, range and status, characteristic plumage features, sub-species and races where appropriate and vocalization. The book has been designed to complement and enhance existing artwork guides, such as Wildfowl: An Identification Guide (Helm, 1988), and covers rare birds, seabirds, birds of prey and warblers in all zoogeographic regions.

From describing the many different types of bird migration to information on how to study and observe migration, all you need to know about this subject is included in this excellent book. The Orientation Mechanisms and Weather and Migration chapters reveal the amazing ways in which birds know how to travel vast distances without getting lost, and Great Journeys tells of the incredible feats of athleticism that birds such as Swallows, Arctic Terns and Eleonora's Falcons achieve when they fly for thousands of miles to reach their wintering grounds. The Migratory Table is a unique easy-reference chart that makes it simple to check the migratory habits of all birds that pass through the British Isles and Northern Europe. This book takes a birdwatcher's view of migration. It focuses on what a birder might see and experience and question. Information on where to see migrating birds or observe ringing is included, as is how to interpret the weather in terms of its impact on migration. As a result, this book includes as many practical tips and suggestions as possible, in addition to scientific findings. Full of enthusiasm for the subject, this indispensable and expertly written book is a must for any birder who has ever wondered how and why so many seemingly fragile birds make such arduous journeys.

"Here, for the first time, are nearly all the known species of wildfowl illustrated in full colour, in a book which is the combination of an expert text and outstanding photographs." --Dust jacket.

Covering over 300 species of seabirds, this revised edition aims to illustrate not only the adult bird, but every significant plumage variation. The book presents 700 colour photographs and up-to-date species descriptions, which include details of habit and range, characteristic plumage and behavioural features, sub-species and races where appropriate and vocalization. The field descriptions cover rare birds, birds of prey, warblers and wildfowl in all zoogeographic regions.

A comprehensive photographic guide to the world’s gull species With more than 50 gull species in the world, this family of seabirds poses some of the greatest field identification challenges of any bird group: age-related plumage changes, extensive variations within species, frequent hybridization, and complex distribution. Gulls of the World takes on these challenges and is the first book to provide a comprehensive look at these birds. Concise text emphasizes field identification, with in-depth discussion of variations as well as coverage of habitat, status, and distribution. Abundant photographs highlight identification criteria and, crucially, factor in age and subspecific field separation. Informative species accounts are accompanied by detailed color range maps. Gulls of the World is the most authoritative photographic guide to this remarkable bird family. The first book to provide in-depth coverage of all the world's gull species More than 600 stunning color photographs Concise text looks at variations, habitat, status, and distribution Informative species accounts and color range maps

An identification guide covering all the bird species to have occurred in the European region. Birding is one of the most popular activities and pastimes in Europe and so it follows that it is essential to be able to identify the birds on view, be it in the back garden or for making more serious in-depth studies. This book aims to bring together as much information as possible in one volume, using extremely detailed, up-to-date guides and identification of every species known to have occurred in Europe and the West Palearctic, that is, the whole of Europe, North Africa as far south as the Central Sahara, the Middle East to the border of Iran, the Azores, Madeira, Canary Islands, the islands off Mauritania and the Cape Verde islands, as defined by Cramp and Simons 1977. They have certainly been successful in doing so and have produced a wonderfully comprehensive guide covering nearly 900 species, showing a wide range of differing plumages. The colour plates are exquisite and have been painted by some of Europe's leading bird artists. The text is clear and can be followed by beginners but finer points of identification are included for the benefit of more serious bird watchers. Particularly helpful is the cross-referencing of the text and colour plates. There are more than 600 colour maps to identify where the birds are to be found, which are simple and easy to use with excellent descriptions of status and habitat.

Capture the beauty of birds on film--whether they're in flight, feeding, bathing, or even mating. One of the world's top bird photographers, whose work has appeared in Birdwatch and Outdoor Photography, offers enthusiasts a comprehensive introduction to this exacting but satisfying art. He covers all aspects of shooting, from setting up a hide in your garden to finding rarities. The invaluable advice includes tips on: * Choosing the right camera, lenses, film, and accessories for the job * Selecting the best location and approach * Taking great photos even in difficult situations * Improving your technique immeasurably. A "surgery" section demonstrates how to learn from mistakes, trouble shoot, archive your pictures, and submit work to publications. It's the finest photographic handbook of its kind--and a most delightful account of one patient artist's passion for birds and their continuing protection in the wild.

In this beautifully illustrated guide, two practicing wildlife biologists describe the life histories of forty-five species of ducks, geese, and swans that occur in Texas. For common species and those that breed in the state, each account begins with an interesting fact (such as, “Red-breasted Mergansers have been clocked at over 80 mph, the fastest recorded flight speed for a duck . . .”) and provides information on Texas distribution and harvest, population status, diet, range and habitats, reproduction, and appearance. Exquisite photographs, informative distribution maps, and a helpful source list accompany the species descriptions, and the book offers a glossary and full bibliography for those who want to explore the literature further. With the degradation and disappearance of the inland and coastal habitats that these birds depend upon, the natural history of these waterfowl species provides a vital reminder of the interconnectedness and crucial importance of all wetlands. Birders, biologists, landowners, hunters, outdoor enthusiasts, and all those interested in the health and preservation of our coastal and inland wetland resources will enjoy and learn from this book.

This book is a call to action, providing the tools photographers need to help preserve threatened species and environments around the world or in their own backyards. Author/photographer Boyd Norton has spent over four decades successfully doing just that, and is credited with saving millions of wilderness acres through his photographs and personal activism. In this book, Norton shares his approaches to designing powerful images that communicate the threats facing wilderness areas, wildlife, and people around the world. His expert advice guides you step by step through the process of capturing effective photographs and implementing them to educate and build support for these critically important issues. Also featured are images and techniques from acclaimed conservation photographers Amy Gulick, Alexandra Garcia, Alison M. Jones, Joe Riis, Bob Rozinski, and Wendy Shattil.

A comprehensive guide to birds that provides color photographs and detailed descriptions of more than one seventh of all known bird species, with information on bird classifications, listings of all known bird species in the world today, and an overview of the evolution of birds.