The Encyclopedia of Birds

Book excerpt: There are currently 10,000 known living species of birds. Believed to have evolved from dinosaurs 150 million years ago, birds are some of the most fascinating creatures on Planet Earth. They can be found in all climates, can live on land or sea, and range in size from hummingbirds to ostriches. They can be pets or prey. They are often social animals that flock, mob predators, hunt and migrate together. They communicate through visual signals, calls and song. The Encyclopedia of Birds profiles more than 400 species from all continents and climates. With a broad sweep from the greater flamingo to the snowy owl, from the golden eagle to the canary, from the puffin to the green kingfisher, The Encyclopedia of Birds is a celebration of one of the most intriguing life forms on the planet. Grouped scientifically by order and family, each entry includes highly informative, lively text explaining the anatomy, size, habitats, diet, breeding patterns, and lifecycle of each bird. In addition there is a fact box and a map showing the distribution and migratory patterns of each bird. Each entry includes annotated and beautifully detailed color illustrations and a color photograph of the bird in its natural habitat.