World Encyclopedia Of Birds And Birdwatching, The

Description: A comprehensive, colour reference to birds around the world, with an introduction which covers the natural history of these amazing creatures. The text and illustrations aim to give an insight into the enormous range and diversity of birds on the Earth. These range from the tiny hummingbird to the towering ostrich, the flightless penguin to the soaring eagle, and the muted colours of the common gull to the brilliance of the rainbow lorikeet. The introduction explains how these creatures are thought to have evolved and their anatomical similarities. It also looks at the miracle of flight, bird behaviour and habitats. Endangered species are highlighted. Fieldcraft and bird-watching are explained with practical tips to gain the best results. Safety, clothing, vagrants, Web sites, and the importance of research and patience are all covered.




Author Biography: David Alderton is an internationally best selling authority on mammals and birds. He is the former chairman of the National Council for Aviculture, and has been breeding and keeping birds for over 30 years. He contributes to a wide range of specialist publications, writes a syndicated weekly newspaper column on petcare, and is a consultant to the Pet Industry Joint Advisory Council, based in Washington, D. C. In addition, David gives talks on petcare subjects at both national and international seminars; he participates in radio programmes, and has appeared on television on numerous occasions. He is currently filming a new petcare series for British television.