Nature Guide: Birds: The World in Your Hands

by David Burnie

Overview

A new generation of illustrated natural history handbooks, produced in conjunction with the Smithsonian Institution.

The new DK Nature Guides form a comprehensive, accessible, and informative series of illustrated reference books that tackle key natural history subjects in DK's inimitable style.

From the Arctic Tern and American Woodcock to the Turkey Vulture and Yellow-billed Cuckoo, Nature Guide: Birds is packed full of stunning images that reveal bird anatomy, flight, migration patterns, breeding, habitats-all perfect for bird watching and easy identification.

Includes:

• Stunning images revealing intricate details and unique features of specimens
• Expert writing and research by specialists
• Clear, concise, and informative text bring the subjects to life
• Specially commissioned close-up photography and illustrations
• Carefully structured profiles ensuring it is easy to locate key information
• Entries organized in intuitive categories or groupings for ease of reference

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780756690410
Publisher:	DK
Publication date:	04/02/2012
Series:	DK Nature Guide
Pages:	352
Sales rank:	524,521
Product dimensions:	4.90(w) x 8.60(h) x 1.00(d)

About the Author

David Burnie is a zoology graduate and fellow of the Zoological Society of London. Having started out as a nature-preserve ranger and biologist, he has since forged a successful career as a writer and consultant specializing in wildlife and plants. He has written and contributed to more than 140 books and multimedia titles on nature and the environment, including DK's Animal and Natural History encyclopedias. He was shortlisted for the Royal Society's Aventis Prize in 2005.

Editorial Reviews

The Birds installment of Smithsonian's new nature guide series combines the famed institute's authority with DK's very popular and effective graphic presentation. In its 350+ pages, Smithsonian Nature Guide Birds presents our fine feathered friends in fascinating details that encompass bird anatomy, flight, migration patterns, breeding, habitations, and more. A birder's portable paradise.

— Vicki Powers

This attractive volume straddles the line between research source for the uninitiated and reference guide for the experienced birder. There are 29 orders of birds, and each is mentioned, with profiles of select representative species. The introduction discusses anatomy; flight, migration, and breeding; habitats; and bird-watching and identification (including suggestions for recommended equipment). As well as the topics covered in the introduction, each species profile includes information about geographic distribution, social interactions (whether the bird is part of a flock or solitary), physical attributes, number of eggs and type of nest, and the International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources (IUCN) Red List category, which determines the creature's risk of extinction. The final 100 pages of the book are devoted to the largest order, passerines (perching birds). All profiles are illustrated with close-up color photographs, generally showing the male, which highlights any spectacular plumage. Although the layout is sometimes confusing, with two species listed on the same page, this is not a big problem because the glossary and index are comprehensive and easy to use. VERDICT Whereas experienced birders can probably navigate this book via the table of contents, the strength of the index is particularly important for novices. Knowing this book's audience in a particular library will determine whether it will be most useful in the reference collection or as a circulating resource.—Kara Schaff Dean, Walpole P.L., MA

Library Journal