A Guide to Birding Author:Joseph Forshaw (Editor) For centuries, birds have been used in art, folklore, and mythology to symbolize wisdom and truth, strength and power, birth and death. However, nothing about birds has tantalized humans more than the gift of flight. There are birds that "fly" through water, and others that can attain incredible speeds while swooping on prey. Some, suc... more »h as the hummingbirds, are extraordinary agile and can even fly backward. However, what unites and defines these creatures is not their ability to fly - for, curiously, some cannot fly at all - but the possession of feathers on their bodies.
Like so many members if the natural world, birds are under threat. Humans have been responsible for the extinction of many species, and with the continued destruction of their habitats, many more will fall victim to the pressures imposed by the modern world. It is only by understanding these creatures that we can save them from this fate. This book aims to inform and inspire, and features text by international experts and beautiful color photographs, maps, and illustrations. It examines the origins, anatomy, classification, and behavior of birds. There is advice on attracting birds to you garden, and on observing them there and in the wild. Also included is a field guide to 148 species of birds, grouped according to their habitats. For beginner and experienced birders alike. A Guide to Birding provides a concise and authoritative guide to the fascinating world of birds.
• The origins, anatomy, and behavior of birds
• Practical advice on how to attract birds to your garden
• Full classification table of birds
• Up-to-the-minute information about endangered species
• Explains new observing techniques such as digiscoping
• Field guide profiles 148 species of birds in detail
• Fully illustrated throughout with hundreds of illustrations,