Ornithology (Hardcover)

by Frank B. Gill (Author)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

Approaches the subject from a biological and evolutionary perspective rather than just identification.

About the Author
FRANK B. GILL, University of Pennsylvania, USA. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

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Product Details Hardcover: 720 pages Publisher: W. H. Freeman; Second Edition edition (September 15, 1994) Language: English ISBN-10: 0716724154 ISBN-13: 978-0716724155 Product Dimensions: 10.3 x 8.2 x 1.6 inches Shipping Weight: 3.8 pounds (View shipping rates and policies) Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars See all reviews (12 customer reviews) Amazon.com Sales Rank: #641,985 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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What Do Customers Ultimately Buy After Viewing This Item?

	87% buy the item featured on this page: Ornithology 4.6 out of 5 stars (12) $108.60
	8% buy Manual of Ornithology: Avian Structure and Function 4.5 out of 5 stars (6) $31.50
	2% buy The Sibley Guide to Birds 4.7 out of 5 stars (131) $26.37
	2% buy Cornell Lab of Ornithology Handbook of Bird Biology 4.8 out of 5 stars (5)

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Customer Reviews

12 Reviews 5 star:  (8) 4 star:  (3) 3 star:  (1) 2 star:    (0) 1 star:    (0)           Average Customer Review 4.6 out of 5 stars (12 customer reviews)		Share your thoughts with other customers:
Most Helpful Customer Reviews 35 of 36 people found the following review helpful: 5.0 out of 5 stars Bird Biology at its Best!, July 20, 2001 By  Robert Devere (Rio Vista, California) - See all my reviews I searched for a textbook on ornithology that I could use in association with the Bird Biology Home Study Course that I was planning to take through Cornell University. I found the textbook at Amazon.com. The information in this textbook is absolutely wonderful! Frank Gill presents an "encyclopedia" of information in an easy-to-read, comprehensible format. Anyone interested in the serious study of bird biology will want to add this textbook to his or her bookshelf. Within the next few months, I will reread this textbook again. How many textbook readers can honestly state that they would reread any textbook in its entirety? Every chapter intrigued and delighted me. I will be actively searching for more books by Frank Gill, based upon the presentation of materials in Ornithology, 2nd edition. 25 of 25 people found the following review helpful: 5.0 out of 5 stars Could not put it down...., May 30, 2001 By  Dr. Lee D. Carlson (Baltimore, Maryland USA) - See all my reviews (TOP 100 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)       This superb book was such fun to read and it is packed full of interesting and thought-provoking information. Space prohibits a chapter-by-chapter review so I will list the things in the book that I found very interesting: 1. The plumage color patterns of dawny young shorebirds. 2. DNA hybridization experiments and evolutionary tree of herons. 3. Geese flying in formation to save energy. 4. The use of thermals by a gliding vulture to counteract sinking. 5. The unique landing abilities of birds: rotation of center of mass upward to stall directly over the landing site. 6. Vortex creation by beating wings of pigeons and kestrels. 7. Respiratory abilities of birds. 8. High metabolic rates of frizzled chickens. 9. Discussion on avian intelligence. 10. The detection of natural magnetic fields using rhodopsin. 11. Use of echolocation for navigation; asymmetry of ear placement in the owl to pinpoint sound source. 12. The avian taste for chili peppers. 13. Birds having two independent voices. 14. Individual spacing behavior while perching. 15. The nests of swallows reflecting their evolutionary history. 16. Insurance egg laying by penguins and boobies.17. The restoration of the peregrines. 18. The illustrations of the birds of the world in the appendix. 19. The enormous bibliography. This is definitely a book to be read by students and those interested in ornithology. An incredible book....... 16 of 18 people found the following review helpful: 4.0 out of 5 stars excellent, but expensive, February 17, 2003 By  Shai "uroll" (Tel Aviv Israel) - See all my reviews The book is without doubt the best ornithology textbook in existance. While this may be aided by the fact that it is virtually the only one there is out there, it is accurate, comprehensive and user friendly. my main problems are that it is starting to be a little dated, and of course - the price.		Ad feedback   Most Recent Customer Reviews 5.0 out of 5 stars Great for Bird Lovers This book has everything you need to know about Birds. It is a great book. Published 5 months ago by Kim Fudge 3.0 out of 5 stars Deception A book written old style ; it means old pictures , no color pictures A book for ornithologues , not for birders A book with many many details on molts , incubation ,... Read more Published 13 months ago by Gerald Dumoulin 5.0 out of 5 stars Very indepth bird book It was my ornithology text book. This covers everything that any bird enthusiast would ever want to know including anatomy, evolution, adaptations and species specific info. Read more Published 15 months ago by Birder 4.0 out of 5 stars For all Bird Enthusiasts Wow! How our knowledge of birds has increased over the past decade since the last edition! Written with charm and warmth, flows well with loads of details; this book is a must... Read more Published 18 months ago by D. Gill 4.0 out of 5 stars good book It is more "scientific" that Cornel Lab's "Handbook of bird biology". Chapters 16 through 21 are the most iteresting for ecologists and evolutionary biologists. Read more Published 22 months ago by Mariusz Krzysztof Janczur 5.0 out of 5 stars Ornithology MUST HAVE text! Wow! I was knocked out when I received this book. I was afraid it would be far too technichal, and geared exclusively for biologists and zoologists. Read more Published on June 5, 2007 by Plumascounty 5.0 out of 5 stars ornithology book just as good or better than i had anticipated. quick service too. Published on March 8, 2007 by Jordan D. Olsen 5.0 out of 5 stars a very complete reference. The book has all kind of general reference you need to understand the topic. This was a gift for my sister who is Biologist. Published on January 20, 2007 by Francis P. Medina 5.0 out of 5 stars Solid Reference Text Gill's book provides an indepth coverage of many topics important to the field of Ornithology. The illustrations clearly reinforce material in the text. Read more Published on July 6, 2000 by David Argent Search Customer Reviews Only search this product's reviews

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 720 pages
• Publisher: W. H. Freeman; Second Edition edition (September 15, 1994)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0716724154
• ISBN-13: 978-0716724155
• Product Dimensions: 10.3 x 8.2 x 1.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3.8 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars See all reviews (12 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #641,985 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

35 of 36 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Bird Biology at its Best!, July 20, 2001

By	Robert Devere (Rio Vista, California) - See all my reviews

I searched for a textbook on ornithology that I could use in association with the Bird Biology Home Study Course that I was planning to take through Cornell University. I found the textbook at Amazon.com. The information in this textbook is absolutely wonderful! Frank Gill presents an "encyclopedia" of information in an easy-to-read, comprehensible format. Anyone interested in the serious study of bird biology will want to add this textbook to his or her bookshelf. Within the next few months, I will reread this textbook again. How many textbook readers can honestly state that they would reread any textbook in its entirety? Every chapter intrigued and delighted me. I will be actively searching for more books by Frank Gill, based upon the presentation of materials in Ornithology, 2nd edition.

25 of 25 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Could not put it down...., May 30, 2001

By	Dr. Lee D. Carlson (Baltimore, Maryland USA) - See all my reviews (TOP 100 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)

This superb book was such fun to read and it is packed full of interesting and thought-provoking information. Space prohibits a chapter-by-chapter review so I will list the things in the book that I found very interesting: 1. The plumage color patterns of dawny young shorebirds. 2. DNA hybridization experiments and evolutionary tree of herons. 3. Geese flying in formation to save energy. 4. The use of thermals by a gliding vulture to counteract sinking. 5. The unique landing abilities of birds: rotation of center of mass upward to stall directly over the landing site. 6. Vortex creation by beating wings of pigeons and kestrels. 7. Respiratory abilities of birds. 8. High metabolic rates of frizzled chickens. 9. Discussion on avian intelligence. 10. The detection of natural magnetic fields using rhodopsin. 11. Use of echolocation for navigation; asymmetry of ear placement in the owl to pinpoint sound source. 12. The avian taste for chili peppers. 13. Birds having two independent voices. 14. Individual spacing behavior while perching. 15. The nests of swallows reflecting their evolutionary history. 16. Insurance egg laying by penguins and boobies.17. The restoration of the peregrines. 18. The illustrations of the birds of the world in the appendix. 19. The enormous bibliography. This is definitely a book to be read by students and those interested in ornithology. An incredible book.......

16 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars excellent, but expensive, February 17, 2003

By	Shai "uroll" (Tel Aviv Israel) - See all my reviews

The book is without doubt the best ornithology textbook in existance. While this may be aided by the fact that it is virtually the only one there is out there, it is accurate, comprehensive and user friendly. my main problems are that it is starting to be a little dated, and of course - the price.