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

by Jonathan Elphick (Editor), Thomas E. Lovejoy (Foreword)

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, 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, Science, Nonfiction, Nature

176 pages, Hardcover

First published August 15, 1995

About the author

Jonathan Elphick is a British natural history writer, editor, ornithologist, and zoologist known for his extensive work on birds, conservation, and the cultural history of ornithology. Raised in North Wales, he developed an early fascination with birdlife and later earned a zoology degree from University College, Swansea. After working as an in-house natural history editor for several publishers, including Dorling Kindersley, he became a freelance specialist focusing primarily on birds and wildlife. Elphick has written, edited, or contributed to numerous acclaimed titles including The Birdwatcher's Handbook, Birds: The Art of Ornithology, The Natural History Museum Atlas of Bird Migration, and Birds Britannica. His work combines scientific research, conservation, art history, travel, and field observation. A Fellow of both the Zoological Society of London and the Linnean Society of London, he has also collaborated on international conservation and publishing projects exploring humanity's relationship with birds across cultures worldwide.

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!