Handbook of Australian, New Zealand and Antarctic Birds, Vol. 1: Ratites to Ducks (2 Parts) [Hardcover]

S. Marchant (Editor), P. J. Higgins (Editor), Jeff Davies (Illustrator)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0195530683 | ISBN-13: 978-0195530681 | Publication Date: August 1, 1991

The fascinating world of birdlife in Australasia is the subject of this magnificent new reference work. When completed, this lavishly illustrated five-volume set will cover all of the birds known to occur -- or to have recently become extinct -- within Australia, New Zealand and Antarctica. Also, for the first time, the avifauna of the dependent islands of Cocos-Keeling, Christmas, Lord Howe, Norfolk, Macquarie and Heard Islands will be included, as well as New Zealand's dependencies and subantarctic islands. The Handbook of Australian, New Zealand and Antarctic Birds (HANZAB) is the result of a skillful collaboration among seventy authors - many of whom are engaged in ornithological research projects, censuses and public education on many aspects of ornithology. It also draws on the observations of hundreds of birdwatchers, who have supplied many valuable notes taken in the field. Produced by the Royal Australasian Ornithologists Union, HANZAB is the first comprehensive study since Gregory Mathew's 1927 treatise Birds of Australia. The scope is truly encyclopedic. Each volume examines in detail all aspects of field identification, social organization, behavior, voice, habitat, distribution, breeding, movement, food, measurements, moult and precise plumage characteristics. Volume 1 covers emus, kiwis, cassowaries, penguins, grebes, albatrosses, shearwaters, petrels, shags, cormorants, boobies, gannets, frigatebirds, herons, egrets, ibis, storks, swans, geese and ducks. One hundred superb color plates by Jeff Davis, one of Australia's foremost bird illustrators, provide accurate detail and accent the extraordinary beauty and diversity of Australasian birdlife. Diagrams of animal breeding cycles and David Andrew's detailed drawings of plumage supplement the text. Four more volumes will appear over the next eight years, making HANZAB the most up-to-date, comprehensive guide on Australasian birdlife. It will be an indispensable resource for ornithologists, zoologists, ecologists and hobbyists for years to come. It will also enrich the library of anyone who prizes fine books and beautiful art.

Editorial Reviews

Review

`Australia and its birds are two of my greatest loves. On every visit I look forward to seeing and hearing the many spectacular and bizarre species that your shores boast. And now, a perfect combination of art and science - and a stunning contribution to the understanding of your unique birdlife. HANZAB is a winner.' Bill Oddie

`Australia and New Zealand are fortunate in having a rich heritage of wild bird species.... The Handbook of Australian, New Zealand and Antarctic Birds.... is a massive undertaking, but it is absolutely vital to the conservation of these animals in the face of the progressive degradation of the natural world's natural environment.' HRH The Duke of Edinburgh

`The color plates are superb, and almost photographic.' `..... destined to become the Australian ornithologists' bible, thumbed by amateur and expert "birdos" alike, as well as being an indispensable guide for government departments and conservation groups.' The Age

'The wealth of information and the detail are quite superb. I have nothing but praise for the volume, and recommend it to anyone with a serious interest in the birds of the region. It will undoubtedly remain the major reference work for many years to come.' David Fisher, British Birds, Volume 84, Number 12, December 1991

'Everyone interested in this area's birdlife ... will find a myriad of uses for the work. Much information is totally new and comprehensive reference lists for each species ensure that the Handbook will be an indispensable research tool.' Charles E. Keller, Indiana November 1991

'a welcome milestone in Australasian and Antarctic ornithology ... The book is very attractively produced with a good balance of text, maps, tables and figures. The text is generally very good and edited into a consistent format which is a credit to the editorial team.' Hugh A. Robertson, IBIS, Vol. 134, 1992

'very attractive ... it is almost impossible to find anything detrimental to say about this monumental work ... HANZAB is certainly going to have an enormous influence on future research and the protection of oceanic and antarctic birds ... hope it will find it's way into many German libraries' Corax 14, Heft 4 1992

`This extremely impressive piece of work...is a meticulous and much needed contribution to ornithology.' `The information in the species entries is clear, concise and easy to find. One hopes that the rest of the volumes in what promises to be an excellent publication, will not be too long in appearing.'

'The colour illustrastions by J.N. Davies are all excellent ... So not only can we warmly welcome the publication of this series of handbooks, but also eagerly await the appearance of the remaining four volumes.' Egretta, Vogelkundliche Nachrichten aus Osterreich 1993, Heft 2 (Book 2)

About the Author

S.Marchant and P.J. Higgins are both members of the Royal Australian Ornithological Union.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 1408 pages
• Publisher: Oxford University Press, USA (August 1, 1991)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0195530683
• ISBN-13: 978-0195530681
• Product Dimensions: 13.4 x 8.3 x 3.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 9 pounds
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #4,517,693 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)