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The Cornell Lab of Ornithology Handbook of Bird Biology
"This wonderful handbook provides a crystal-clear introduction to every fascinating aspect of bird biology. It will now be my own first reference source about birds, and it should be yours, too - regardless of whether you are a backyard bird watcher, a hard-core birder, or a professional ornithologist."
Jared Diamond, Professor of Geography at the University of California-Los Angeles, specialist on New Guinea birds, and Pulitzer-Prize winning author.
"This new edition of the Cornell Lab of Ornithology's Handbook of Bird Biology is a stunning resource for professionals and amateurs alike. It is graced by color photos spilling off nearly every page and filled with clear yet detailed interpretations of the latest ornithological discoveries. One can't achieve a better mix of technical accuracy and a pleasing, accessible format. It's all here - bird evolution, ecology, physiology, conservation, and much more."
Scott V. Edwards, Alexander Agassiz Professor of Zoology and Curator of Ornithology at Harvard University
Birds thrive in all conditions, from urban neighborhoods to the remotest oceans, driest deserts, and the wettest rainforests. From the tiniest hummingbird to the largest ostrich, their varied forms fascinate us - from drab to ostentatious, silent to raucous, earthbound to global nomad.
This much-anticipated third edition of the Handbook of Bird Biology is an essential and comprehensive resource for everyone interested in learning more about birds, from casual bird watchers to formal students of ornithology. Wherever you study birds your enjoyment will be enhanced by a better understanding of the incredible diversity of avian lifestyles. Arising from the renowned Cornell Lab of Ornithology and authored by a team of experts from around the world, the Handbook covers all aspects of avian diversity, behaviour, ecology, evolution, physiology, and conservation. Using examples drawn from birds found in every corner of the globe, it explores and distills the many scientific discoveries that have made birds one of our best known - and best loved - parts of the natural world.
This edition has been completely revised and is presented with more than 800 full color images. It provides readers with a tool for life-long learning about birds and is suitable for bird watchers and ornithology students, as well as for ecologists, conservationists, and resource managers who work with birds.
Jared Diamond, Professor of Geography at the University of California-Los Angeles, specialist on New Guinea birds, and Pulitzer-Prize winning author.
"This new edition of the Cornell Lab of Ornithology's Handbook of Bird Biology is a stunning resource for professionals and amateurs alike. It is graced by color photos spilling off nearly every page and filled with clear yet detailed interpretations of the latest ornithological discoveries. One can't achieve a better mix of technical accuracy and a pleasing, accessible format. It's all here - bird evolution, ecology, physiology, conservation, and much more."
Scott V. Edwards, Alexander Agassiz Professor of Zoology and Curator of Ornithology at Harvard University
Birds thrive in all conditions, from urban neighborhoods to the remotest oceans, driest deserts, and the wettest rainforests. From the tiniest hummingbird to the largest ostrich, their varied forms fascinate us - from drab to ostentatious, silent to raucous, earthbound to global nomad.
This much-anticipated third edition of the Handbook of Bird Biology is an essential and comprehensive resource for everyone interested in learning more about birds, from casual bird watchers to formal students of ornithology. Wherever you study birds your enjoyment will be enhanced by a better understanding of the incredible diversity of avian lifestyles. Arising from the renowned Cornell Lab of Ornithology and authored by a team of experts from around the world, the Handbook covers all aspects of avian diversity, behaviour, ecology, evolution, physiology, and conservation. Using examples drawn from birds found in every corner of the globe, it explores and distills the many scientific discoveries that have made birds one of our best known - and best loved - parts of the natural world.
This edition has been completely revised and is presented with more than 800 full color images. It provides readers with a tool for life-long learning about birds and is suitable for bird watchers and ornithology students, as well as for ecologists, conservationists, and resource managers who work with birds.
736 pages, Hardcover
First published October 1, 2004
152 people are currently reading
367 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
August 25, 2019
Long time bird nerd here, so imagine my joy when I found out that I could take the Cornell course on bird biology for Continuing Education Units, and increase my salary...best deal ever.
I learned so many wonderful things about birds, and I was highly motivated to complete the work.
I learned so many wonderful things about birds, and I was highly motivated to complete the work.
March 5, 2025
Excellent book, I learned so much about birds!
August 28, 2022
This is the textbook for Cornell Lab's Comprehensive Bird Biology course.
March 31, 2018
The Third Edition is a super comprehensive book on bird biology, accessible to a non-technical reader.
Subject coverage includes evolution, plumage, flight, anatomy, physiology, foraging, social behavior, breeding, migration, ecology and conservation. Each chapter is divided into sections and sub-sections addressing various concepts.
Numerous examples are given to support each idea. Many illustrations and photos are included.
Reading the book is akin to a tour of the avian world, where one encounters species after species and learns of many surprising aspects of their lifestyles.
Subject coverage includes evolution, plumage, flight, anatomy, physiology, foraging, social behavior, breeding, migration, ecology and conservation. Each chapter is divided into sections and sub-sections addressing various concepts.
Numerous examples are given to support each idea. Many illustrations and photos are included.
Reading the book is akin to a tour of the avian world, where one encounters species after species and learns of many surprising aspects of their lifestyles.
July 31, 2020
This is an amazing book with a huge amount of information on every aspect of bird biology and behavior. The illustrations are fantastic and the section on bird vocalizations is fascinating. It is accessible to the non-expert, and well worth reading for anyone with a lifelong love of birds.
May 4, 2023
I have just finished Cornell University's online course on Ornithology, which required this textbook. Although the book is dense, it offers a thorough examination of bird biology, ranging from evolutionary history and physiology to ecological interactions and conservation issues. It is an excellent read for anyone interested in ornithology. However, the last chapter left me feeling quite disheartened:
The account of the passenger pigeon's extinction during the 19th century in the continental USA is truly gut-wrenching, with billions of birds ruthlessly killed without any eco-conscious regulation. Similarly, the loss of countless oceanic island birds due to invasive predators is a saddening reality. Nevertheless, the book as a whole provides valuable insights into the remarkable adaptations, familial interactions, aerodynamics of flight, feather structure, foraging behaviors, and many other aspects of bird life, highlighting the urgent need to protect what can be easily lost. I was also impressed by the book's coverage of citizen science initiatives, such as eBird, which enable anyone to contribute to the conservation of birds.
In fact, it is estimated that 99% of all bird species that have ever lived on earth are now extinct. So, why should we be concerned about bird species becoming extinct today?
The answer is simple: the wave of extinction currently underway is occurring at a pace and scale fully comparable to the five greatest extinction episodes in the earth's history, but this sixth mass extinction is directly caused by human activities across the globe. The physical and biological changes humans have caused on earth are so profound and widespread that a new expression -- the Anthropocene -- has been coined to describe this epoch in geological terms. The worldwide spread of modern Homo sapiens has resulted in the extinction of about 8000 species of landbirds, according to recent estimates based on fossil deposits. Most biologists agree that human-caused extinction now rival those associated with the events that extinguished the dinosaurs about 65 million years ago.
The account of the passenger pigeon's extinction during the 19th century in the continental USA is truly gut-wrenching, with billions of birds ruthlessly killed without any eco-conscious regulation. Similarly, the loss of countless oceanic island birds due to invasive predators is a saddening reality. Nevertheless, the book as a whole provides valuable insights into the remarkable adaptations, familial interactions, aerodynamics of flight, feather structure, foraging behaviors, and many other aspects of bird life, highlighting the urgent need to protect what can be easily lost. I was also impressed by the book's coverage of citizen science initiatives, such as eBird, which enable anyone to contribute to the conservation of birds.
December 30, 2023
With covid lockdowns and no commute, it took me 3 years to complete but I’m glad I did! Detailed, comprehensive, thorough ornithological science textbook which added knowledge to my decades as a birder. Complexities are described well, excellent use of examples and ‘boxes’ for further understanding, plus copious photos and diagrams, references, links, etc.
dnf
October 17, 2025This book feels like a textbook in that while it contains plenty of interesting information, the delivery feels a little over-simplified at times. Not to the extent that it hinders learning, exactly, just that it reminded me a little too much of grade school. It's not you, Handbook of Bird Biology, it's me...
October 13, 2024
Took me years to get through it but finishing was worth it! This is the most comprehensive book on everything regarding birds: feathers, migration, anatomy, singing, and everything in-between. It is very well written and organized. Highly recommended.
April 11, 2019
I read this along with completing the Cornell online ornithology course. A wonderful resource for understanding bird biology.
September 8, 2020
Readable and authoritative with wonderful photos, a must for any serious birder. But not exactly the type of book that one reads cover to cover in a weekend.
February 12, 2022
used it for a course, a lot of information, great pictures, very dense
November 24, 2022
Very good
June 11, 2025
Ornithology in all its feathery details
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews