"Identifying birds can be overwhelming. Where and how do you start? The good news is that most people already know more than they realize about birds, which can greatly simplify the identification process. Written in a helpful, conversational style and illustrated with numerous photos, this "12-step program" starts with the basics and builds logically into a manageable framework that enables anyone to get into, or get more out of, the world of watching,...

"From the tiny bee humming bird to the huge wandering albatross, Bird brings the diversity and drama of the avian world to life. Capturing the wonder of birds in their natural environments, this unrivaled guide spans the globe." -- Back cover. Profiles more than 1200 species, explains the biology of birds and where they live, and showcases the most spectacular sites for bird-watching.

"This entertaining and informative guide explains the meanings of bird names, many of which have fascinating origins and stories behind them. The universal system of 'scientific' names, based largely on Greek and Latin, is used in all good bird books and assists birdwatchers around the world in figuring out exactly what they are looking at. While some of the names are fairly self-explanatory - such as Troglodytes for wren, meaning 'cave-dweller' -...

"This illustrated book vividly depicts the most threatened birds on Earth. It provides up-to-date information from BirdLife International on the threats each species faces, and the measures being taken to save them. Today, 590 birds species are classified as Endangered or Critically Endangered, or now only exist in captivity. This landmark publication features stunning photographs of 515 of these species--including the results of a prestigious international...