The Atlas of Bird Migration: Tracing the Great Journeys of the World's Birds

by Jonathan Elphick

A comprehensive and authoritative guide to the fascinating mysteries of bird migration. Every year, billions of birds leave their North American breeding grounds for winter quarters farther south. That so many birds migrate so many miles, through life-threatening conditions, and to the same place each year, is simply stunning. The editor of this important and lavishly illustrated new book has selected a cross-section of both the most typical and the most interesting migrants. Colorful maps, photographs, calendars and fact files, with easy-to-read symbols and abbreviations, present an accurate and up-to-date profile of each species. The introduction provides comprehensive background on migration and its great how do the birds know where to go? The latest scientific discoveries are explained here. The bulk of the book is the directory, which chronicles the routes of more than 500 species, North American birds of prey Hummingbirds, grosbeaks and starlings Eurasian shorebirds, storks and cranes Winter visitors from the Far North, such as swans, geese and finches African, South American and Australasian migrants Migratory sea birds, such as penguins, albatrosses and terns.The results of new satellite tracking methods are covered, as are current environmental threats and conservation initiatives. The book closes with a comprehensive catalog of migrating species from all continents.

Genres: Birds, Nonfiction, Science

Hardcover

First published August 15, 1995

Reviews

[Terri · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fascinating book. I do a lot of bird watching. Even consider myself a Twitcher, but I have never taken the time until now to look into where some of our Australian migratory birds travel to and from via maps. Quite an eyeopener.
I wish it had more of a world wide perspective though (as it claims to have in the title). Not only A North American one.

[Pablo Palet Araneda · Rating 3 out of 5]

It has some beatiful photos and good diagrams to show the main data. However, it is USA-centred, tends to be reiterative in excess, and falling into inorganic details about some species without deepening in common patterns.

[Angela · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really like Birding and don't have time to get out in the flyways this April/May. This book was beautifully done and packed with so much great info. Highly recommend!