Ornithology

by Frank B. Gill

Book Overview

Ornithology, is a contemporary and comprehensive book on avian biology, reflecting scientific advances over the last 20 years in which birds have figured prominently - in research in ecology, evolution, socio-biology, population biology, and biogeography.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0716720655
• ISBN13: 9780716720652
• Release Date: January 1990
• Publisher: W.H. Freeman & Company
• Length: 660 Pages
• Weight: 3.25 lbs.

Customer Reviews

A bit outdated

A really good read with tons of good info! I recommend fact-checking it consistently, because it's a bit outdated, especially concerning taxonomy, which the author leaves several notes on it's potential to change in the future. Still, I really enjoyed reading it! This review is about 2e. 3e is more up to date, and 4e I believe is the best. Highly recommend, Frank Gill is a great writer and the concepts are very approachable for amatuers.

Very indepth bird book

It was my ornithology text book. This covers everything that any bird enthusiast would ever want to know including anatomy, evolution, adaptations and species specific info. I would definitely recommend it!

Ornithology MUST HAVE text!

Wow! I was knocked out when I received this book. I was afraid it would be far too technichal, and geared exclusively for biologists and zoologists. It is actually written for undergraduate level students interested in bird behavior and physiology. I highly recommend this book, but beware! This is not some light reading! It's a very serious text, but very readable and well illustrated. Love it!

Could not put it down....

This superb book was such fun to read and it is packed full of interesting and thought-provoking information. Space prohibits a chapter-by-chapter review so I will list the things in the book that I found very interesting: 1. The plumage color patterns of dawny young shorebirds. 2. DNA hybridization experiments and evolutionary tree of herons. 3. Geese flying in formation to save energy. 4. The use of thermals by a gliding vulture to counteract sinking. 5. The unique landing abilities of birds: rotation of center of mass upward to stall directly over the landing site. 6. Vortex creation by beating wings of pigeons and kestrels. 7. Respiratory abilities of birds. 8. High metabolic rates of frizzled chickens. 9. Discussion on avian intelligence. 10. The detection of natural magnetic fields using rhodopsin. 11. Use of echolocation for navigation; asymmetry of ear placement in the owl to pinpoint sound source. 12. The avian taste for chili peppers. 13. Birds having two independent voices. 14. Individual spacing behavior while perching. 15. The nests of swallows reflecting their evolutionary history. 16. Insurance egg laying by penguins and boobies.17. The restoration of the peregrines. 18. The illustrations of the birds of the world in the appendix. 19. The enormous bibliography. This is definitely a book to be read by students and those interested in ornithology. An incredible book.......