- Table View
- List View
The Bird Market of Paris: A Memoir
by Nikki Moustaki"This may be the most original cross-species love story I've ever read. Part travelogue, part recovery memoir, and one hundred percent compelling." —Gwen Cooper, author of the New York Times bestselling Homer's Odyssey: A Fearless Feline Tale, or How I Learned About Love and Life with a Blind Wonder Cat"[An] epiphany-provoking gem of a story, skillfully crafted, vivid and rich with feeling." —Richard Blanco, Presidential Inaugural Poet and author of The Prince of los Cocuyos: A Miami Childhood"A stunning, exceptional memoir from a woman who truly understands and appreciates birds . . . A captivating, heart-warming tale and a delightful, inspiring read." —Joanna Burger, author of The Parrot Who Owns Me: The Story of a RelationshipAn avian expert and poet shares a true story of beloved birds, a remarkable grandfather, a bad-girl youth—and an astonishing redemptionNikki Moustaki, author of The Bird Market of Paris, grew up in 1980s Miami, the only child of parents who worked, played, and traveled for luxury sports car dealerships. At home, her doting grandmother cooked for and fed her, but it was her grandfather—an evening-gown designer, riveting storyteller, and bird expert—who was her mentor and dearest companion.Like her grandfather, Nikki fell hard for birds. "Birds filled my childhood," she writes, "as blue filled the sky." Her grandfather showed her how to hypnotize chickens, sneak up on pigeons, and handle baby birds. He gave her a white dove to release for luck on each birthday. And he urged her to, someday, visit the bird market of Paris.But by the time Nikki graduated from college and moved to New York City, she was succumbing to alcohol and increasingly unable to care for her flock. When her grandfather died, guilt-ridden Nikki drank even more. In a last-ditch effort to honor her grandfather, she flew to France hoping to visit the bird market of Paris to release a white dove. Instead, something astonishing happened there that saved Nikki's life.
Bird Migration: A New Understanding
by John H. RappoleA fascinating and nuanced exploration of why, how, and which birds migrate.Bird migration captivates the human imagination, yet for most of us, key aspects of the phenomenon remain a mystery. How do birds sense the ideal moment to take wing, and once the epic journey has begun, how do they find their distant destinations? Fresh insights about avian movements are still constantly emerging, powered by new tools like molecular genetics and transmitter miniaturization. In this book, renowned ornithologist and author John H. Rappole reveals intriguing results of recent scientific studies on migration, explaining their importance for birders, nature lovers, and researchers alike. Debunking misconceptions about the lives of birds that have persisted for thousands of years, Rappole explores unexpected causes and previously misunderstood aspects of the annual migration cycle. From the role of migrating birds in zoonotic disease transmission to climate change's impact on migration patterns, Rappole tackles crucial questions and ensures that readers come away with a new understanding of why and how birds migrate.
Bird Migration Across the Himalayas
by Prins Herbert H. T. Tsewang NamgailBirds migrating across the Himalayan region fly over the highest peaks in the world, facing immense physiological and climatic challenges. The authors show the different strategies used by birds to cope with these challenges. Many wetland avian species are seen in the high-altitude lakes of the Himalayas and the adjoining Tibetan Plateau, such as Bar-Headed Geese. Ringing programmes have generated information about origins and destinations, and this book is the first to present information on the bird's exact migratory paths. Capitalising on knowledge generated through satellite telemetry, the authors describe the migratory routes of a multitude of birds flying over or skirting the Himalayas. The myriad of threats to migratory birds and the wetland system in the Central Asian Flyway are discussed, with ways to mitigate them. This volume will inform and persuade policy-makers and conservation practitioners to take appropriate measures for the long-term survival of this unique migration.
Bird Migration and Global Change
by George W. CoxChanges in seasonal movements and population dynamics of migratory birds in response to ongoing changes resulting from global climate changes are a topic of great interest to conservation scientists and birdwatchers around the world. Because of their dependence on specific habitats and resources in different geographic regions at different phases of their annual cycle, migratory species are especially vulnerable to the impacts of climate change. In Bird Migration and Global Change, eminent ecologist George W. Cox brings his extensive experience as a scientist and bird enthusiast to bear in evaluating the capacity of migratory birds to adapt to the challenges of a changing climate. Cox reviews, synthesizes, and interprets recent and emerging science on the subject, beginning with a discussion of climate change and its effect on habitat, and followed by eleven chapters that examine responses of bird types across all regions of the globe. The final four chapters address the evolutionary capacity of birds, and consider how best to shape conservation strategies to protect migratory species in coming decades. The rate of climate change is faster now than at any other moment in recent geological history. How best to manage migratory birds to deal with this challenge is a major conservation issue, and Bird Migration and Global Change is a unique and timely contribution to the literature.
The Bird Name Book: A History of English Bird Names
by Susan MyersA marvelously illustrated A-to-Z compendium of bird names from around the globeThe Bird Name Book is an alphabetical reference book on the origins and meanings of common group bird names, from “accentor” to “zeledonia.” A cornucopia of engaging facts and anecdotes, this superbly researched compendium presents a wealth of incisive entries alongside stunning photos by the author and beautiful historic prints and watercolors. Myers provides brief biographies of prominent figures in ornithology—such as John Gould, John Latham, Alfred Newton, and Robert Ridgway—and goes on to describe the etymological history of every common group bird name found in standardized English. She interweaves the stories behind the names with quotes from publications dating back to the 1400s, illuminating the shared evolution of language and our relationships with birds, and rooting the names in the history of ornithological discovery.Whether you are a well-traveled birder or have ever wondered how the birds in your backyard got their names, The Bird Name Book is an ideal companion.
Bird Nerd
by Jennifer Ann RichterThoughtful, nerdy fifth-grader Nyla sets out to win her school's bird watching competition, while balancing old friends with new in this heartfelt debut.Nyla Braun has always been called a nerd at her Philadelphia school. But that hasn&’t stopped her from pursuing her nerdy hobbies, especially when she has best friend Tasha by her side. When a birding tournament between Nyla&’s class and a class from a suburban school is announced, Nyla sees her chance to get the respect she deserves. If they win, that is. The Burb Birders will be tough competition.With the contest underway, Nyla soon catches the attention of the most popular girl in class, who also wants to win, setting off a chain of small disasters as Nyla tries to balance old friends and new and the pressure to be cool when you really just want to be yourself.Told with warmth and gentle humor, debut author Jennifer Ann Richter&’s Bird Nerd combines a deep love of nature and birding with the story of a young girl learning to discover her own confidence and values.
Bird, New Edition (DK Definitive Visual Encyclopedias)
by DKThe diversity and drama of the bird world brought to breathtaking life in an encyclopedic new editionUnrivaled in scope for a single-volume reference work, this photographic guide to every bird order and family profiles more than 1,400 species, pictured in their native environment by photographers around the globe. Authoritative, comprehensive, and completely up to date, this reference was produced and revised by a team of expert contributors and in partnership with the leading avian authorities Birdlife International and Audubon.Bird's photographic catalog showcases birds from hummingbirds to monkey-eating eagles, each with a photograph, description, three-color distribution map, and data file. Organized in taxonomic order, the catalog has detailed introductions to every bird order. The perching birds alone, making the largest order, occupy 158 pages; and most of their families, such as larks or tanagers, also have their own introductions. Nearly 100 further pages focus in vivid detail on bird biology--their flight, anatomy, feeding, communication, breeding, habitat, migrations, life cycles, and the many habitats they live in. All this, and special features on the world's most impressive birdwatching locations, make this "A must-have reference for every bird enthusiast" (BBC Wildlife Magazine).
Bird on the Wing
by Winifred MadisonElizabeth felt the year in Lincoln, Nebraska, had been the longest in her life. Longing to return to her real mother and her friends in Sacramento, she had refused to make friends, and she scorned everything about her new stepmother, the tacky Lorene. Elizabeth is full of anger and resentment, so when a seemingly trivial incident with Lorene suddenly evolves into a bitter fight, she decides to run away and hitchhike to California. While she is on the road Elizabeth meets an older girl with the unusual name of Maija Hrdlka, and it is this meeting that changes Elizabeth's life. Maija is a weaver who seems to Elizabeth to be full of wisdom and grace. The girls become good friends, and when Elizabeth's life in Sacramento turns into a travesty of her dreams, she runs away once again to live with Maija. How Elizabeth changes under Maija's influence from a shallow schoolgirl into an artist on the way to a mature understanding of herself and others is the crux of this sensitive and intriguing novel.
Bird Photographer of the Year: Collection 9
by Will Nicholls and Paul SterryA stunningly illustrated celebration of the world&’s best bird photographyThe Bird Photographer of the Year is a competition that celebrates the artistry of bird photography from around the world, and this beautiful, large-format book showcases the best images from the contest—some of the most stunning bird photographs ever taken. A gorgeous record of avian beauty and diversity across the globe, the book demonstrates the dedication and passion of bird photographers and the incredible quality of today&’s digital imaging systems.The book features the best of tens of thousands of images from the ninth year of the competition, including the winning and short-listed pictures. It presents a vast variety of photos by experienced professionals and enthusiastic amateurs, reflecting the huge diversity of bird and nature lovers, which is vital for ensuring the conservation and survival of birds. A portion of the profits from this book goes to Birds on the Brink, a charity that supports bird conservation around the world.Filled with unforgettable images of a kind that simply weren&’t possible before the creation of digital photography, this book will delight anyone who loves birds or great photography.
The Bird Photography Field Guide: The Essential Handbook For Capturing Birds With Your Digital Slr (Field Guide Ser.)
by David TiplingThis is a comprehensive and practical guide to photographing birds living in a wide variety of landscapes and climates. Helpful maps and site information, along with travel advice and technical tips, ensure this book is a 'must have' for all bird photographers - and bird enthusiasts as well.
The Bird Photography Field Guide: The Essential Handbook For Capturing Birds With Your Digital Slr (Field Guide Ser.)
by David TiplingA specialist title aimed at bird watchers, this handy book contains all the expertise you need to make your bird-watching trip into a rewarding photo session: there is copious advice on equipment, technique and field craft, and a wealth of wonderful photos to inspire you. Finally, a section on the digital darkroom will help you turn your shots into perfect prints.
Bird Show
by Susan StockdaleWelcome to the Bird Show! Award-winning author-illustrator Susan Stockdale offers a front-row seat to a vibrant fashion show starring the world's most diverse and spectacular birds.Just like people, birds contribute to our beautiful world, made more vibrant by their diversity. Readers will marvel at the unique "clothes" worn by eighteen familiar and exotic birds in Susan Stockdale's colorful book. With feathers both plain and fancy, spotted and striped, birds' magnificent differences are celebrated in her stunning portraits and lyrical, rhyming text. Future ornithologists and fashionistas will marvel at the book's color and style, and an afterword provides more information about each species as well as an entertaining pattern matching game.
Bird Species: How They Arise, Modify and Vanish (Fascinating Life Sciences)
by Dieter Thomas TietzeThe average person can name more bird species than they think, but do we really know what a bird “species” is? This open access book takes up several fascinating aspects of bird life to elucidate this basic concept in biology. From genetic and physiological basics to the phenomena of bird song and bird migration, it analyzes various interactions of birds – with their environment and other birds. Lastly, it shows imminent threats to birds in the Anthropocene, the era of global human impact. Although it seemed to be easy to define bird species, the advent of modern methods has challenged species definition and led to a multidisciplinary approach to classifying birds. One outstanding new toolbox comes with the more and more reasonably priced acquisition of whole-genome sequences that allow causative analyses of how bird species diversify. Speciation has reached a final stage when daughter species are reproductively isolated, but this stage is not easily detectable from the phenotype we observe. Culturally transmitted traits such as bird song seem to speed up speciation processes, while another behavioral trait, migration, helps birds to find food resources, and also coincides with higher chances of reaching new, inhabitable areas. In general, distribution is a major key to understanding speciation in birds. Examples of ecological speciation can be found in birds, and the constant interaction of birds with their biotic environment also contributes to evolutionary changes. In the Anthropocene, birds are confronted with rapid changes that are highly threatening for some species. Climate change forces birds to move their ranges, but may also disrupt well-established interactions between climate, vegetation, and food sources. This book brings together various disciplines involved in observing bird species come into existence, modify, and vanish. It is a rich resource for bird enthusiasts who want to understand various processes at the cutting edge of current research in more detail. At the same time it offers students the opportunity to see primarily unconnected, but booming big-data approaches such as genomics and biogeography meet in a topic of broad interest. Lastly, the book enables conservationists to better understand the uncertainties surrounding “species” as entities of protection.
Bird & Squirrel All or Nothing: A Graphic Novel (Bird & Squirrel #6)
by James BurksSquirrel helps Bird overcome his biggest challenge yet -- FAMILY!The dangerous Horned Toad 500 cross-country race is coming up and Bird's father has always won it. But when his dad gets injured, Bird reluctantly joins the race to save the family honor. While dealing with the scorching desert heat and dirty tricks from another team, Bird and Squirrel are put to the ultimate test of endurance and sportsmanship. Along the way, the duo learns that, win or lose, having good friends and family will always get you to the finish line.
Bird & Squirrel All Tangled Up: A Graphic Novel (Bird & Squirrel #5)
by James BurksBird and Squirrel add a new member to the adventuring team: Squirrel's daughter, BIRDIE!!!When Red has to go spend the night helping Grandmole, Bird and Squirrel are put in charge of taking care of Squirrel's daughter, Birdie. But Birdie wants to go with her mom because staying home is so BORING! So Bird convinces Squirrel (despite his better judgment) to have some fun while Red is gone. And as far as Bird is concerned, nothing is more fun than setting off in search of the most elusive creature of the forest: Bigfoot! And even though Squirrel teaches Birdie that being prepared is always best, nothing can prepare them for the crazy adventures ahead!
Bird & Squirrel on the Run! (Bird & Squirrel)
by James Burks<P>Squirrel is afraid of his own shadow. Bird doesn't have a care in the world. And Cat wants to eat Bird and Squirrel. Of course, he'll have to catch them first, and that's not going to be easy. <P>Join this trio as they head south for the winter in a hilarious road trip. But watch out! Cat is waiting around every bend, and he's one pesky feline.
Bird Study (Merit Badge Series)
by Boy Scouts of AmericaThis book introduces scouts to the wonders and joys of bird watching and study.
The Bird That Cannot Fly (Fountas & Pinnell Classroom)
by Julie WinterbottomRun! All birds can fly, right? Wrong! The ostrich is a bird that cannot fly. But it can run faster than you! NIMAC-sourced textbook
Bird Tracks: A Field Guide to British Species
by John Rhyder David Wege"A wonderful book that shares rare knowledge in a clear and focused way. I love it." - Tristan GooleyBird Tracks: A Guide to British Species explores and enhances the ability to identify a diversity of birds using just their tracks and trails. John Rhyder and David Wege approach this subject from the perspective of both the tracker and the birdwatcher. They have examined and described 139 species, each richly illustrated with a mixture of photographs and drawings of their unique tracks and trails.Bird Tracks is a comprehensive guide for trackers and birdwatchers interested in studying species found around the British Isles, and can also be of great use across north-western Europe. Written by experts in their respective fields, this work represents several years of research collated into the most in-depth study of bird tracks published to date.
Bird versus Bulldozer: A Quarter-Century Conservation Battle in a Biodiversity Hotspot
by Audrey L. MayerAn examination of the struggle to conserve biodiversity in urban regions, told through the story of the threatened coastal California gnatcatcher The story of the rare coastal California gnatcatcher is a parable for understanding the larger ongoing struggle to conserve biodiversity in regions confronted with intensifying urban development. Because this gnatcatcher depends on vanishing coastal sage scrub in Southern California, it has been regarded as a flagship species for biodiversity protection since the early 1990s. But the uncertainty of the gnatcatcher&’s taxonomic classification—and whether it can be counted as a &“listable unit&” under the Endangered Species Act—has provoked contentious debate among activists, scientists, urban developers, and policy makers. Synthesizing insights from ecology, environmental history, public policy analysis, and urban planning as she tracks these debates over the course of the past twenty-five years, Audrey L. Mayer presents an ultimately optimistic take on the importance of much-neglected regional conservation planning strategies to create sustainable urban landscapes that benefit humans and wildlife alike.
The Bird Watching Answer Book: Everything You Need to Know to Enjoy Birds in Your Backyard and Beyond
by Laura EricksonLearn the how’s and why’s of bird behavior, from flirtatious mating practices and gorgeous birdsong to flying south for the winter. In this lively reference book, Laura Erickson addresses hundreds of real-life questions sent in to the Cornell Lab of Ornithology, the world’s foremost authority on birds. <P><P> With expert advice on bird watching techniques and equipment, feeding and housing birds, protecting habitats, and much more, Erickson guides you through the intricacies of the avian world with a contagious passion for our feathered friends.
Bird Watching For Dummies
by Jessica Vaughan Dawn Hewitt Julie ZickefooseBirds are everywhere. Why not start really watching them?Sometimes, all it takes is a “spark bird” to open the door. A bird, seen well, so unexpectedly beautiful and interesting that it cracks you wide open. Bird Watching For Dummies is a spark book, teaching you all you need to know about this fun, affordable, and accessible hobby. It gently guides as you explore your local habitats, learn to recognize more and more species, and reap the many mental health benefits of connecting to the outdoors and all the wonders it holds. This book gets you started, teaching you how to identify birds by sight and sound, find birdwatching hotspots, and get the birds to come to your own backyard. You’ll learn about the latest gear, the best field guides and online apps that will jump-start your bird identification skills. Into photography? This book has your back, with tips on getting good photos for identification and aesthetic purposes. Find out how to join a local bird club, find a field trip or a group tour to rainforest, desert, seacoast, mountains or prairie. Every habitat has its own special birds, and when the birding bug bites, you’ll want to see them all. Get started with bird watching or take your hobby to the next level Improve your skills with tips for identifying birds by sight and sound Understand bird behavior and learn gardening tips that will bring the birds to you Choose field guides, binoculars, apps, and other tools of the trade Bird Watching For Dummies will teach beginners and novices how to start bird watching, sharpen their bird watching skills, and expand their knowledge.
The Bird Way: A New Look at How Birds Talk, Work, Play, Parent, and Think
by Jennifer Ackerman'A celebration of the dizzying variety of bird life and behaviour, one that will enthral birders and non-birders alike' The ObserverFrom the New York Times bestselling author of The Genius of Birds, a radical investigation into the bird way of being, and the recent scientific research that is dramatically shifting our understanding of birds. 'There is the mammal way and there is the bird way.' This is one scientist's pithy distinction between mammal brains and bird brains: two ways to make a highly intelligent mind. But lately, scientists have taken a new look at bird behaviours they've previously dismissed as anomalies. What they're finding is upending the traditional view of how birds live, how they communicate, forage, court, survive. They're also revealing the remarkable intelligence underlying these activities, abilities we once considered uniquely our own - deception, manipulation, kidnapping, infanticide, but also, ingenious communication between species, collaboration, altruism and play. Some of these behaviours are biological conundrums that seem to push the edges of - well - birdness: A mother bird that kills her own infant sons, and another that selflessly tends to the young of other birds. Young birds that devote themselves to feeding their siblings and others so competitive they'll stab their nestmates to death. Birds that give gifts and birds that steal, birds that dance or drum, that paint their creations or paint themselves, and birds that summon playmates with a special call - and may hold the secret to our own penchant for playfulness and the evolution of laughter. Drawing on personal observations, the latest science, and her bird-related travel around the world, Ackerman shows there is clearly no single bird way of being. In every respect, in plumage, form, song, flight, lifestyle, niche, and behaviour, birds vary. It's what we love about them.'Biologist and bestselling author Jennifer Ackerman knows what she's talking about . . . Chapter by meatily evidence-based chapter, she lays out the assumptions that underpin our understanding of birds - and then pecks them apart . . . Her knack for catching the personalities of different species in gorgeous, playful prose further collapses comfortable barriers between the human and the birdlike . . . More than it is a book about birds - and it is, indisputably, a book about birds - The Bird Way is about diversity and tolerance. A little bird told me that's just what we need in 2020' Daily Telegraph, ***** (Five Stars)'Jennifer Ackerman is not a field researcher, but with her eye for a great story she converts the scientific findings of others into popular books. The real joy of her book is its close attention to some of the specialists of the region . . . Ackerman is also alive to the humour at play in field research' Mark Cocker, The Spectator