The beauty and drama of the bird world brought to breathtaking life in ebook format From hummingbirds weighing less than a coin to monkey-eating eagles this is a unique celebration of birds, photographed and studied in their natural environments around the world. Explore the complete bird story: from their origins to up-to-date information on flight, anatomy, feeding, communication, breeding, habitat, migrations and life cycles. Spectacular features on the most impressive birds, plus a huge catalogue that profiles nearly fifteen hundred different species makes this a must-have for every bird enthusiast. Published with Birdlife International, the world's leading avian authority.
Presents entries on bird species and families from around the world, with information on the physical characteristics, migration pattern, behavior, distribution, habitat, nest, eggs, and diet.
The habitats of Great Britain, Europe and Africa boast some of the most interesting and adaptable members of the avian world. While African savanna may seem remote from the forests of northern Europe, many birds will endure perilous migrations between the two continents as part of their life cycle. This accessible and fully illustrated guide presents some of the rare and familiar bird species of these lands, and captures the multitude of sizes, shapes and colours in existence. From the tiny malachite sunbird to the enormous ostrich; from the grace of a mute swan to the striking casque of an African crowned hornbill; from the bright colours of a Vasa parrot to the stealthy camouflage of a tawny owl - each has the power to enthrall. An expert, accessible introduction explains how birds evolved, with artists' impressions of their winged ancestors, the pterosaurs. It examines the special anatomy of birds, their keen senses, and how they have adapted to life in the air. Bird behaviour is also examined in detail - read how factors such as mating rituals, nest protection, rearing chicks, group living, hunting, feeding and migration are necessary to the survival of the species. This guide also features practical tips on fieldcraft, and colourful depictions of birds found in distinct types of habitat. A directory of up to 560 species features intricate colour artworks, and details everything from variable plumage to bill shapes, distribution, size, food, eggs and nest. The birds are grouped by habitat and type - including oceanic, estuarine, freshwater, woodland, open country and urban species - and include representatives from all the major avian families. With over 535 individual colour illustrations and photographs, plus maps detailing distribution, this encyclopaedic volume documents the sheer abundance of bird life found between the snowy Arctic tundra and the tip of southern Africa.
Did you know that marabou storks are known as "undertaker birds" and the spoonbill's bill is a highly specialized tool? From the flamingo to the hummingbird, the eagle to the ostrich, this encyclopedia profiles more than 400 species from every continent. It explains each bird's anatomy, habitat, distribution, lifecycle, and diet with informative, lively text, and features fact boxes, annotated illustrations, and maps.
Marvel as you enter the fascinating hidden world of ugly animals in this encyclopaedia of the animal kingdom's most unusual and and so-called 'ugly' species. It's time to see ugliness in a whole new light! With more than sixty animals to explore, this compendium of the unusual celebrates the beauty in 'ugliness'. Children and adults alike will pore over the breathtaking scientific illustrations of unusual animals, discovering why these animals developed such extraordinary features and learning about science and nature along the way. Featuring illustrations and facts about the thorniest species the animal kingdom has to offer, from the naked mole rat to the goblin shark, aye-aye, blobfish and many more. This gorgeous book is illustrated in exquisite detail by debut artist, Sami Bayly.
SHORTLISTED CBCA BOOK OF THE YEAR AWARDS 2022 - EVE POWNALL AWARD Come along for another fresh take on the animal kingdom from bestselling author and illustrator, Sami Bayly. Discover 60 of the most peculiar pairs in nature and learn how plant and animal species rely on each other for their survival. Whether it be a rare tick living in the fur of a pygmy possum, a stick insect feasting and hiding out amongst the Melaleuca or a handfish laying its eggs on a sea squirt, incredible natural relationships deserve to be explored and celebrated. Investigating all types of relationships, from symbiotic to parasitic, this is an eye-opening guide to the natural world. Many species steer clear of those who are different, but the animals and plants in this book have evolved to form relationships with some of the most unlikely partners, and they couldn't live without them. This gorgeous hardcover book is illustrated in exquisite detail by award-winning author and illustrator, Sami Bayly. The perfect companion to The Illustrated Encyclopaedia of Ugly Animals and The Illustrated Encyclopaedia of Dangerous Animals.
'The Encyclopedia of Birds' covers the behaviour, diet, distribution, and evolution of every known living bird in the world, and it is illustrated throughout with colour photographs and original artwork.
