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The Megapodes: MegaPodiidae (Bird Families of the World, 3) First Edition
heavy-bodied birds of the forest floor (they can fly, but move mostly by walking) who forage for insects, seeds, and fallen fruit. The only birds known to use external heat sources rather than body heat for incubation, their young emerge fully able to fend for themselves and receive no parental
care. The first part of the book provides an overview of the family as a whole; describes their taxonomy, distribution, biology, and behavior; and focuses on the physiological, ecological, and behavioral adaptations that have resulted from its unique incubation technique. The second part features
22 species accounts, each of which contains a complete description of the bird in its natural state. Each account is based on the best literature available, the authors' own field research, and information collected from the distinguished efforts of the Megapode Specialist Group. Sonograms are
included where possible. This volume--as with others in the Bird Families of the World series--will be indispensable to professional and amateur ornithologists alike.
Bird Families of the World is a new multivolume series of handbooks that will prove indispensable to both the professional scientist and the ever-growing body of amateur ornithologists. Each volume will provide a comprehensive synthesis of current knowledge on one bird family or several related
families. In each book the reader will find: six to nine general chapters on the biology, feeding ecology, breeding behavior, evolutionary relationships, and conservation of birds in the family; specially commissioned color plates by a leading artist; black-and-white illustrations of anatomy and
behavior; descriptions of each species that cover appearance, weight, measurements, field characters, voice, habitat, food, breeding behavior, life cycle, range, and status (with distribution map). They will provide the most comprehensive and up-to-date species-level information available.
- ISBN-100198546513
- ISBN-13978-0198546511
- EditionFirst Edition
- PublisherOxford University Press
- Publication dateOctober 19, 1995
- LanguageEnglish
- Dimensions8 x 0.75 x 10 inches
- Print length304 pages
Editorial Reviews
Review
"The 22 species of megapodes are distributed in Australia, Papua New Guinea, Indonesia, the Philippines, the Nicobar Islands (India) and on some southwest Pacific islands. This monograph is the first about them in over 100 years. It discussed taxonomy and relationships, distribution, biogeography,
speciation, general biology and behavior, incubation sites, ecophysiology and adaptations, reproductive behavior and mating systems, evolution of incubation strategies, and conservation. This is essential reading for anyone interested in these fascinating birds. Most highly recommended."--Wildlife
Activist
"[A] thorough treatment of a fascinating family of birds...should be in the library of anyone interested in Australasian or in the range of adaptation in birds."--The Wilson Bulletin
About the Author
Darryl N. Jones is Lecturer in Environmental Sciences at Griffith University. René W. R. J. Dekker is Curator of Birds at the National Museum of Natural History, Leiden. Cees S. Roselaar has a position with the Institute for Systematics and Population Biology at the University of Amsterdam.
Product details
- Publisher : Oxford University Press; First Edition (October 19, 1995)
- Language : English
- Hardcover : 304 pages
- ISBN-10 : 0198546513
- ISBN-13 : 978-0198546511
- Item Weight : 1.95 pounds
- Dimensions : 8 x 0.75 x 10 inches
- Best Sellers Rank: #4,301,241 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #6,932 in Bird Watching (Books)
- #11,314 in Environmentalism
- #16,216 in Nature Conservation
- Customer Reviews:
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However, their breeding ecology is like that of no other birds - like reptiles, they dig their eggs in the ground or in specially-built incubation mounds.
This has always made them among the most interesting birds in my eyes, and I was always pleased to be able to observe individuals of the several species I saw in Indonesia and the Philippines. Most sightings were by chance, often on remote offshore islands or when hiking in rugged interior mountains. No less interesting - and far easier to locate - were their huge incubation mounds, or some well-known nesting grounds where they gathered in masses, like the beach near Simau village on Halmahera Island.
But observing these shy birds in the wild was always a difficult task, so I was very pleased to be able to obtain all information about their life, status and taxonomy I could think of in this extremely thoroughly-written book.
Highly recommended to anyone interested in this very special group of birds.

