Storks, Ibises, and Spoonbills of the World [Hardcover]

James A. Hancock (Author), James A. Kushlan (Author), M. Philip Kahl (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 28, 1992

Some of the world's largest and most spectacular birds are to be found among this group of wading birds. Tragically, they also include many of the world's most endangered species, as changes in land use erode their wetland habitats. Some, like the White stork, have lived alongside humans for hundreds of years and are well known from numerous scientific studies. Others, like the Storm's Stork and the Ibises of West Africa, South-East Asia and South America live so secluded a life in the remote corners of the globe that they will probably be extinct before even the most basic details of their biology are known.
In this definitive monograph, three authors and two artists have combined their skills to capture what is known of these birds, and to picture them in beautiful paintings and photographs. The text opens with general chapters on taxonomy and feeding, and breeding behavior, following which, each species is dealt with in detail. Between them, the authors have personal experience of most of the species in five continents, and pay particular attention to documenting the current status of the threatened and rare species.

Key Features
* The most complete compilation available on this group of birds
* Includes stunning color plates
* Features magnificent portraits from renowned ornithological artists Alan Harris and David Quinn

Editorial Reviews

Review

"...this sumptuous volume is the bargain bird book of the year, if not the decade... Within its 392 pages is not only a complete and highly detailed account of the biology of the 19 storks, single shoebill, 23 ibises and six spoonbills, but also the most magnificent collection of paintings of these 49 species."
--COUNTRY LIFE
"Never before has so much information on any of these three magnificent and fascinating bird groups been offered between two covers... Alan Harris and David Quinn--two of the most talented bird illustrators on the international scene--have conspired to produce 49 full-color plates of exceptional beauty... The authors and artists are to be congratulated on their remarkable achievement. This valuable reference work should stimulate more interest in the world's storks, ibises, and spoonbills, and hopefully it will contribute to preserving these exquisite birds for generations to come."
--THE BIRD BOOK REVIEW
"This is a very beautiful book... The Brehm Foundation, Academic Press, the authors and illustrators are all to be congratulated on the production of this magnificent work."
-THE EARTHLIFE WEB

From the Back Cover

By far the most authoritative and comprehensive work ever published on the birds of Africa. The editors and artists have worked closely with the nine authors of this volume - all internationally acknowledged experts on their bird families - to produce encyclopaedic accounts of each species. Volume IV covers the first 312 of the 1200 or so passerine species which offur in continental Africa and its outlying islands. As in the first three volumes, each breeding species receives full coverage with sections on range and status, description, voice, general habits, food and breeding biology. Non-breeding visitors to the continent are treated more briefly with a text concentrating on the birds' status and biology while in Africa. Range maps are shown for each bird and superspecies maps are given where appropriate.
Once again Martin Woodcock has done full justice to the brilliant plumages of African birds. The large plates show the birds to their best advantage or adopt a more formal, field guide style to emphasise the identification points of the more difficult groups. Ian Willis' line drawings elaborate on displays and other patterns of behaviour described in the text. The beauty and scholarship of this now standard reference on African birds must ensure its place on every ornithologist's book shelf.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 385 pages
• Publisher: Academic Press; 1St Edition edition (September 28, 1992)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0123227305
• ISBN-13: 978-0123227300
• Product Dimensions: 12.1 x 9.7 x 1.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4.9 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,224,067 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.