The Zebra Finch: A Synthesis of Field and Laboratory Studies (Oxford Ornithology Series) [Hardcover]

Richard A. Zann (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: July 25, 1996 | ISBN-10: 0198540795 | ISBN-13: 978-0198540793

This book synthesizes current scientific knowledge of the Australian Zebra Finch, a bird popular with scientists and teachers in physiology, behavioral development, and evolutionary ecology, as well as professional and amateur ornithologists throughout the world. It builds a complete picture of the biology of this colorful species, integrating thirty years of findings from the laboratory with those from the wild, with emphasis on behavior and ecology. This new understanding of the Zebra Finch's adaptation and life history will further enhance its value to researchers and students in various fields.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Richard Zann brings together an impressive amount of information from the wild (in arid Australia) and the lab. This book has it all: zebra finches in Aboriginal creation stories, systematics, natural distribution, food eaten, behavior and physiology of drinking, abundance, social displays, breeding, parenting. . . . I highly recommend this book for anyone interested in zebra finches."--The Quarterly Review of Biology

"A comprehensive research report packed with new information, skillfully blended with a synthesis of the more important literature."--Choice

"A major summary and synthesis of current knowledge of this bird in field and laboratory. . .Recommended"--Wildlife Activist

"A first-class job of summarizing information on Zebra Finches, in the lab and in the field. These birds are remarkable in many ways, not least because they can live in confinement in a reasonable approximation of what their lives are like in the wild. That this should be true is remarkable, because wild Zebra Finches are quite specialized birds. . . . The available information on Zebra Finches is summarized in this book in a perceptive and informed way, and I highly recommend it. People who like birds will find it engrossing, as will behaviorists, ecologists, and evolutionary biologists; institutional libraries should get this book."--The Condor

About the Author

Richard A. Zann is at La Trobe University.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 352 pages
• Publisher: Oxford University Press, USA (July 25, 1996)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0198540795
• ISBN-13: 978-0198540793
• Product Dimensions: 9.5 x 6.4 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.6 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,280,279 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

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

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Gold mine for zebra finch fanatics, August 15, 1997

By 

[e-mail] (Taastrup, Denmark) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Zebra Finch: A Synthesis of Field and Laboratory Studies (Oxford Ornithology Series) (Hardcover)

written by Richard A. Zann, School of Zoology, La Trobe University, Australia

Zebra Finches are among the most studied birds. Scientists all over the world have been using zebra finches as subjects for laboratory research. Field biologists have also been studying the wild zebra finch in depth. Now, Richard A. Zann from La Trobe University in Australia has written a book compiling a veritable gold mine of this information about
our favourite bird.

Topics covered in the book include distribution and habitat, feeding, drinking, breeding behaviour, social behaviour, vocalisations, imprinting, etc. For instance, did you know that several studies into the water requirements of zebra finches have shown that under certain conditions zebra finches can survive for many months without access to water at all (don't try this at home!). Or did you know that although wild zebra finches pair for life, DNA fingerprinting of nestlings
and their parents does not always show the expected relationship (which, of course, is why we bird keepers don't recommend colony breeding when accurate breeding records are essential). Sometimes just one of the parents are related to the nestling, and sometimes zebra finches will even go as far as to drop an egg in someone else's nest. This book is fascinating information like this, non-stop.

The book is written mainly with other scientists in mind, but still in relatively easy to understand English (on some occasions, I could have used a glossary, but English is not my first language). Some behavioural aspects, such as courtship, are illustrated with expertly drawn line drawings and much of the statistical data is presented in very informative charts and maps.

If you are only interested in breeding and showing your birds for the sport of it, then you don't need this book. The information about domesticated zebra finch varieties is somewhat limited. However, if you are at all interested in the behaviour of the wild ancestor of your zebra finches then this is a great book which you should consider getting. In fact, I can only see one reason why not all people would go out and buy this book: the price.

Specifics:
Title: Zebra Finches - A Synthesis of Field and Laboratory Studies (click here for more information)
Author: Richard A. Zann
Published by Oxford University Press 1996
335 pages, hard cover
Black & white line drawings, maps and charts.

(review also published at my homepage http://www.geocities.com/Athens/2187/index2.html