Product Description

In this book there are entire chapters devoted to the most widely used bird counting techniques, and attempts to amalgamate other counting methodologies into major groups were made. Examples of the use of methods are provided wherever possible and the relative value of various approaches for answering specific questions is also addressed.

Key Features
* A newly revised edition of the immensely successful Bird Census Techniques
* An entirely new chapter covering the census methods recommended for tropical habitats
* Provides a concise guide to various census techniques and their opportunities and pitfalls

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #423400 in Books
• Published on: 2000-08-15
• Original language: English
• Binding: Hardcover
• 302 pages

Review
"It provides a concise guide to the most widely used census techniques, with detailed description of methodologies and discussion of the advantages and shortcomings association with each method. The guide is well illustrated with explanatory diagrams and is referenced to the scientific literature on the subject...An essential reference for anyone engaged in bird census studies." - NORTHEASTERN NATURALIST "This guide to the various techniques used to count wild birds is relevant to ornithological field researchers, both amateur and professional, and ecologists and conservation biologists undergoing census studies of wild bird populations. The advantages, limitations and applications of each technique are discussed in detail." -ETHOLOGY (January 2002) "...an important and substantial update of an extremely valuable book. It is a 'must' for any bird-surveyors, volunteer and professional alike, who do not have the first edition--and probably also for those of you who do have." -Juliet Vickery in BRITISH BIRDS (July 2001)

Review
"...well illustrated with explanatory diagrams...An essential reference for anyone engaged in bird census studies."
- NORTHEASTERN NATURALIST

"...relevant to ornithological field researchers, both amateur and professional, and ecologists and conservation biologists undergoing census studies of wild bird populations..."
-ETHOLOGY

"...a 'must' for any bird-surveyors, volunteer and professional alike..."
-Juliet Vickery in BRITISH BIRDS

From the Back Cover
Wild birds are counted for a wide variety of reasons and by a bewildering array of methods. However, detailed descriptions of the techniques used and the rationale adopted are scattered in the literature, and the newcomer to bird census work or the experienced bird counter in search of a wider view, may well have difficulty in coming to grips with the subject as a whole. While not an end in itself, numerical and distributional census work is a fundamental part of many scientific and conservation studies, and one in which the application of given standards is vital if results are not to be distorted or applied in a misleading way.
This book provides a concise guide to the various census techniques and to the opportunities and pitfalls which each entails. The common methods are described in detail, and illustrated through an abundance of diagrams showing examples of actual and theoretical census studies. Anyone planning a census of birds in the wild should be able to select the method best suited to the study in hand, and to apply it to best effect within the limits inherent in it and the constraints of the particular study.
The first edition was immensely successful in setting the standard for sound bird census work in the 1990's. Here, four authors, each with their own relevant experience, have pooled their knowledge to produce this extensively revised second edition of Bird Census Techniques. An entirely new chapter covers the census methods recommended for tropical habitats with inhospitable field conditions and many species of birds, and all other chapters are updated to take account of recent developments in the field, in particular links between bird census studies and Environmental Impact Assessments.

Customer Reviews

Nice intro into ecological censusing for beginners/amateurs
As someone who has worked with the public to do bird conservation, I have found this book to be helpful in helping to explain the techniques & issues that scientists face when doing ecological censusing.

Other than the fact that most of the species that are mentioned are Old World species (a moot point since the topics & techniques are universal), this is a good book. One thing I would like to see, is a North American version that uses examples based on New World species, & how these censuses & projects relate to our conservation laws in the U.S. The authors make mention of several British or European laws dealing with habitat conservation and restoration. It would be interesting to see U.S. examples based on our laws.

Overall, a good read for anyone getting into citizen-based bird science & conservation, or introductory-level college ecology students.