Around the world in 80 birds /

Enhanced descriptions from Syndetics:

This beautiful and inspiring book tells the stories of 80 birds around the world: from the Sociable Weaver Bird in Namibia which constructs huge, multi-nest 'apartment blocks' in the desert, to the Bar-headed Goose of China, one of the highest-flying migrants which crosses the Himalayas twice a year.

Many birds come steeped in folklore and myth, some are national emblems and a few have inspired scientific revelation or daring conservation projects. Each has a story to tell that sheds a light on our relationship with the natural world and reveals just how deeply birds matter to us.

Table of contents provided by Syndetics

• Introduction (p. 8)
• The Birds
• Africa
• Shoebill, Balaeniceps rex, Uganda (p. 12)
• Yellow-billed Oxpecker, Buphagus africanus, Tanzania (p. 14)
• Greater Honeyguide, Indicator indicator, Zambia (p. 16)
• Sociable Wearer, Philetairus socius, Namibia (p. 19)
• Purple-crested Turaco, Tauraco porphyreolopbus, Eswatini (p. 20)
• Bateleur Eagle, Terathopius ecaudatus, Zimbabwe (p. 22)
• Palm-nut Vulture, Gypohierax angolensis, The Gambia (p. 27)
• White-necked Picathartes, Picathartes gymnocephalus, Sierra Leone (p. 28)
• Lesser Flamingo, Phoeniconaias minor, Kenya (p. 30)
• Common Ostrich, Struthio camelus, Botswana (p. 34)
• Cape Sugarbird, Promerops cafer, South Africa (p. 38)
• Helmet Vanga, Euryceros prevostii, Madagascar (p. 40)
• Eurasia
• Common Nightingale, Luscinia megarhyncbos, France (p. 42)
• Common Swift, Apus apus, United Kingdom (p. 45)
• European Robin, Erithacus rubecula, United Kingdom (p. 49)
• Barn Swallow, Hirundo rustica, Austria (p. 52)
• Common Cuckoo, Cuculus canorus, Germany (p. 54)
• White Stork, Ciconia ciconia, Germany (p. 56)
• Common Raven, Corvus corax, Finland (p. 60)
• Common Eider, Somateria mollissima, Iceland (p. 62)
• Atlantic Puffin, Fratercula arctica, Iceland (p. 67)
• Little Owl, Athene noctua, Greece (p. 71)
• Alpine Chough, Pyrrhocorax graculus, Switzerland (p. 72)
• Bearded Vulture, Gypaetus barbatus, Spain (p. 74)
• Hoopoe, Upupa epops, Italy (p. 77)
• Arctic Tern, Sterna paradisaea, Norway (p. 78)
• Steller's Sea-eagle, Haliaeetus pelagicus, Russia (p. 80)
• Golden Eagle, Aquila chrysaetos, Mongolia (p. 83)
• Bar-headed Goose, Anser indicus, China (p. 86)
• Golden Pheasant, Chrysolophus pictus, China (p. 90)
• Japanese Crane, Grus japonensis, Japan (p. 92)
• North America
• Northern Mockingbird, Mimus polyglottos, USA (p. 96)
• Bald Eagle, Haliaeetus leucocephalus, USA (p. 98)
• Greater Sage Grouse, Centrocercus urophasianus, USA (p. 101)
• Purple Martin, Progne subis, USA (p. 102)
• Wild Turkey, Meleagris gallopavo, USA (p. 104)
• Common Loon, Gavia immer, Canada (p. 108)
• Snow Goose, Anser caerulescens, Canada (p. 110)
• Great Grey Owl, Strix nebulosa, Canada (p. 112)
• Greater Roadrunner, Geococcyx californianus, Mexico (p. 116)
• Crested Caracara, Caracara cheriway, Mexico (p. 118)
• Green Jay, Cyanocorax luxuosus, Mexico (p. 121)
• South and Central America
• Hoatzin, Opisthocomus boazin, Guyana (p. 122)
• Hyacinth Macaw, Anodorhynchus hyacinthinus, Brazil (p. 127)
• Andean Cock-of-the-rock, Rupicola peruvianus, Peru (p. 128)
• Resplendent Quetzal, Pharomachrus mocinno, Guatemala (p. 130)
• Andean Condor, Vultur gryphus, Chile (p. 134)
• Torrent Duck, Merganetta armata, Bolivia (p. 139)
• Sword-billed Hummingbird, Ensifera ensifera, Ecuador (p. 140)
• Tororoi Bailador, Grallaricula sp., Colombia (p. 143)
• Harpy Eagle, Harpia harpyja, Panama (p. 144)
• Oilbird, Steatornis caripensis, Venezuela (p. 148)
• Scarlet Ibis, Eudocimus ruber, Trinidad (p. 151)
• Rufous Hornero, Furnarius rufus, Argentina (p. 152)
• South and Southeast Asia
• Gurney's Pitta, Hydrornis gurneyi, Myanmar (p. 154)
• Helmeted Hornbill, Rhinoplax vigil, Indonesia (p. 157)
• Sri Lanka Blue Magpie, Urocissa ornata, Sri Lanka (p. 161)
• Red Junglefowl, Gallus gallus, Thailand (p. 162)
• Greater Racket-tailed Drongo, Dicrurus paradiseus, India (p. 164)
• Brahminy Kite, Haliastur indus, India (p. 166)
• Common Tailorbird, Orthotomus sutorius, India (p. 169)
• Sarus Crane, Antigone antigone, Cambodia (p. 170)
• Malayan Peacock-pheasant, Polyplectron malacense, Malaysia (p. 175)
• Nicobar Pigeon, Caloenas nicobarica, Nicobar Islands (p. 176)
• Philippine Eagle, Pithecophaga jefferyi, Philippines (p. 178)
• Australasia
• Southern Cassowary, Casuarius casuarius, Australia (p. 182)
• Satin Bowerbird, Ptilonorhynchus violaceus, Australia (p. 187)
• Budgerigar, Melopsittacus undulatus, Australia (p. 189)
• Laughing Kookaburra, Dacelo novaeguineae, Australia (p. 190)
• Kakapo, Strigops babroptila, New Zealand (p. 192)
• North Island Brown Kiwi, Apteryx mantelli, New Zealand (p. 194)
• Superb Bird-of-paradise, Lophorina superba, Papua New Guinea (p. 196)
• Oceans and Islands
• Emperor Penguin, Aptenodytes forsteri, Antarctica (p. 198)
• Wandering Albatross, Diomedea exulans, South Georgia (p. 202)
• Wilson's Storm-petrel, Oceanites oceanicus, South Shetland Islands (p. 206)
• Magnificent Frigatebird, Fregata magnificens, Caribbean (p. 208)
• Short-tailed Shearwater, Ardenna tenuirostris, Babel Island (p. 210)
• White tern, Gygis alba, Seychelles (p. 213)
• Blue-footed Booby, Sula nebouxii, Galápagos Islands (p. 214)
• Brown Skua, Stercorarius antarcticus, Falkland Islands (p. 217)
• Where to go next (p. 218)
• Index (p. 221)

Reviews provided by Syndetics

Library Journal Review

Rather than compiling an exhaustive bird identification guide, conservationist Unwin (The Enigma of the Owl) focuses here on 80 species, selected for their visual impact, unique abilities, cultural importance (bald eagle; kiwi), and rarity. The geographically arranged entries describe each bird's habitat, plumage, and feeding and life cycle, along with notes on species conservation, all composed with a storyteller's touch. A characteristic entry begins, "No bird does red quite like the scarlet ibis," before moving on to discuss the scarlet ibis's breeding range and taxonomy. Miyake's charming illustrations are crucial and add enjoyment. VERDICT General audiences' enthusiasm for bird books shows no sign of waning, and this volume delights on all levels.

Publishers Weekly Review

Photographer Unwin (Flights of Passage) takes a tour of 80 bird species in this attractive volume. Unwin surveys a range of birds, from fierce predators such as the Harpy Eagle of South America to beautiful songbirds such as Myanmar's Gurney's Pitta. While he offers fascinating facts about, for instance, the hoatzin's unusual anatomy (which mistakenly led some to consider it the missing link between reptiles and birds), the ornate courtship display of the bird-of-Paradise, and more, Unwin distinguishes this work with his emphasis on birds' meanings to humans. For example, the chapter on the Bateleur Eagle of Zimbabwe opens with the 1889 discovery by a German hunter of eight sculptures of raptors, revered by the Sona people as messengers of the gods; Unwin makes a case that the statues were modeled after the Bateleur. Another chapter details changing perceptions of the symbiotic relationship between the African yellow-billed oxpecker and their mammal hosts, which is now believed to be less mutual than it was initially, while a section on white terns notes that they "have long proved a useful navigation aid for sailors." Unwin's evocative prose is a perfect match for the vivid illustrations. This will be a hit with birdwatchers of all stripes. (June)

Booklist Review

Unwin profiles 80 birds, each representing a country or territory where it has significance, especially in relationship to humankind, whether cultural, historical, or scientific. Humans have come to depend on birds as food sources, insect consumers, and more. Entries here are 1--2 pages long and arranged by the bird's primary region, and include the bird's common name and its genus and species. Information about its range, breeding behaviors, nest-making, how it relates to humans, and its conservation status according to the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) are also included. Most memorable is the hoopoe's behavior, which includes rubbing foul-smelling secretions around the nest during breeding, while the nestlings hiss like snakes and squirt their droppings forcefully through a narrow nest hole. Readers learn about birds with stunning displays, extraordinary vocalizations, and stellar nest-making skills. Color illustrations of birds and their habitats appear throughout. The visual impact, including many double-page spreads, is eye-catching. The book concludes with an index and resources for more information. Fascinating and informative, this text will appeal to lay readers and bird enthusiasts alike.

Author notes provided by Syndetics

Mike Unwin is an award-winning writer of popular natural history books for adults and children. He writes for ,i> The Daily Telegraph, The Times, BBC Wildlife, Travel Africa, as well as the RSPB and WWF. Also a widely published photographer, his travels have taken him to every continent in search of its birds and other wildlife.