Their natural beauty, exceptional variety and unique biology make birds (Aves) one of the most fascinating groups of animals. They are also of great importance to humans as food and as experimental subjects that have catalyzed significant advances in many areas of biological research. Central to our ability to maintain and develop these resources is a thorough understanding of avian nutrition.

This book presents, uniquely, all aspects of our current knowledge, drawn from such diverse disciplines as physiological ecology, poultry production, zoo biology and biomedical science. The physical and biochemical processes of digestion, the metabolic functions of nutrients and the diversity of evolutionary adaptations required to accommodate very different foodstuffs are examined in depth. Emphasis is placed on the quantitative nature of nutrition and the practical consequences for the dietary requirements of captive and wild avian populations throughout their life cycle. This book is key reading for advanced students of animal nutrition and poultry science and for research ornithologists. It will also be valuable for practicing nutritionists working with farmed, pet, zoo or wild birds and represents an essential purchase for libraries of animal science, veterinary medicine and ornithology.