An illustrated survey of the world's most endangered birds
This illustrated book vividly depicts the most endangered birds in the world and provides the latest information on the threats each species faces and the measures being taken to save them. Today, 571 bird species are classified as critically endangered or endangered, and a further four now exist only in captivity. This landmark book features stunning photographs of 500 of these species—the results of a prestigious international photographic competition organized specifically for this book. It also showcases paintings by acclaimed wildlife artist Tomasz Cofta of the 75 species for which no photos are known to exist.
The World's Rarest Birds has introductory chapters that explain the threats to birds, the ways threat categories are applied, and the distinction between threat and rarity. The book is divided into seven regional sections—Europe and the Middle East; Africa and Madagascar; Asia; Australasia; Oceanic Islands; North America, Central America, and the Caribbean; and South America. Each section includes an illustrated directory to the bird species under threat there, and gives a concise description of distribution, status, population, key threats, and conservation needs. This one-of-a-kind book also provides coverage of 62 data-deficient species.
Erik Hirschfeld works in air traffic control management and is a freelance writer, guide, and consultant in ornithology. Andy Swash is managing director of WILDGuides and a professional wildlife photographer, naturalist, author, and guide. Robert Still is an ecologist, widely traveled naturalist, and graphic artist who designs books that encourage people to take a greater interest in the natural world.
Table of Contents
The World's Rarest initiative 7 Introduction to the world's birds 8
Diversity and distribution 8
Endemic Bird Areas 8
Important Bird Areas 9
Birds and humans 10
The world's rarest birds 11
The IUCN/BirdLife species category assignment process 12
Going or gone? 16
The known unknowns 20
The distribution of threatened birds 22
Last chances to save 24
The threats birds face 25
Agriculture and aquaculture 28
Logging/plant harvesting 30
Invasive and other problematic species 32
Hunting and trapping 34
Residential and commercial development 36
Fire and fire management 38
Climate change and severe weather 39
Geological events 40
Human disturbance 41
Pollution 42
Transport and other infrastructure 44
Energy production and mining 45
Dams and water abstraction 46
Fishing 47
The need for conservation 48 Threats without borders 50 The Regional Directories (see overleaf for full listing) 54
Structure of the regional sections 54
Glossary of terms 56
Acknowledgements 332 Appendix 1 - Extinct Species 336 Appendix 2 - The bird families with globally threatened species 339 Index 347
The Regional Directories
Europe and the Middle East 58
The conservation challenges 62
Regional Directory 64
Africa and Madagascar 68
Africa and Madagascar - the conservation challenges 72
Threatened bird hotspot - Madagascar 74
Threatened bird hotspot - Angola 76
Conservation challenge - Grassland Management 78
Regional Directory 80
Asia 100
Asia - the conservation challenges 104
Threatened bird hotspot - The Philippines 106
Threatened bird hotspot - Indonesia 108
Conservation challenge - Vultures 110
Conservation challenge - Bustards 112
Conservation challenge - Hornbills 114
Conservation challenge - The world's most threatened flyway 116
