Firefly Encyclopedia of Birds

Features

• Cover Type: Hard Cover with 640 pages
• Published by: Firefly Books September 6, 2003
• Written in: English
• ISBN 10 Number: 1552977773
• ISBN 13 Number: 978-1552977774
• Book Dimensions: 11.7 x 9.4 x 1.9 inches
• Weighs: 6.9 pounds

From Booklist
This encyclopedia provides a good overview of the birds of the world. About 9,800 bird species are included. The signed articles, arranged by family, average two to six pages in length. They are written by subject experts at a level accessible to high-school students and the general reader. The discussion of each family is augmented by a "Factfile," which usually includes a distribution map, habitat, size, plumage, voice, nest, eggs, diet, and conservation status. "Special Feature" articles highlight topics such as peacock display and the effects of pesticides, and the "Photo Story" features use photographs and detailed captions to illustrate various types of bird behavior.

Species represented include those common to North America, such as snowy owls, blue jays, golden-crowned kinglets, and indigo buntings, as well as birds native to other parts of the world with intriguing common names like purple-crowned fairy wren, skylark, cuckoo roller, mountain firetail, and pin-tailed whydah. The casual reader could glean many interesting facts from this encyclopedia. For example, we learn that the New Caledonian crow is able to create tools to flush out insects; whooping cranes have been "taught" to migrate by imprinting aircraft as their parents; pigeons produce a crop milk that is similar to mammal milk. Outstanding large-format color photographs and illustrations on every page should appeal to both students and the general reader. A 16-page index provides subject access to the contents.

For high-school, public, and academic libraries, this encyclopedia is a good value for the money. Grzimek's Animal Life Encyclopedia: v.8-11: Birds [RBB Ja 1 &15 02] is a more comprehensive and proportionately more expensive set and belongs in greater collections. For smaller collections, the Firefly volume is an great alternative. RBB
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Product Review
A good overview of the birds of the world outstanding large-format color photographs and illustrations. -- Booklist / RBB 12/01/2003

A huge amount of information about our feathered friends. -- William R. Wineke, Wisconsin State Journal 11/09/2003

An outstanding book that is as gorgeous as it is informative, authoritative as it is accessible an great family resource. -- Dan Kunkle, Wildlife Activist 11/2003

Beautifully illustrated lavish illustrations and detailed articles provide a lot of information. -- Suzanne Hively, Cleveland Plain Dealer 11/26/2003

Comprehensive, sumptuously designed and illustrated. -- Mary Ann Gwinn, Seattle Times 12/10/2003

magnificent 600 plus pages, 2,000 photographs and, most important, descriptions of 9,850 species. -- Jay Ingram, Toronto Star 09/07/2003

For birdwatchers and anyone else ornithologically inclined, this is it. -- Macleans 12/08/2003

Global in scope one of the most visually stimulating and informative books ever compiled on avian life. -- Science News 10/25/2003

Intriguing facts easy to read and is visually enhanced by more than 1,000 color photographs. -- Phoenix Home and Garden 09/2004

Wonderful photography and clear, lively text written by a team of bird experts. -- Dikla Kadosh, Outdoor Photography 12/2003

Reader Reviews
Christopher Perrins' Firefly Encyclopedia Of Birds provides extensive full coverage of all the bird families of the world, pairing this with the latest authoritative information, text by leading ornithologists geared for the everyday enthusiast, and beautiful color photos and art. Packed with color and detail, this is not to be missed.